Report: Pacers engaging teams on potential trades for Paul George

The Indiana Pacers aren't wasting any time in their search for a trade partner for Paul George.

With the four-time All-Star having reportedly informed the organization that he intends to leave next summer in free agency, general manager Kevin Pritchard has started engaging teams about potential deals, sources told The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Pacers are seeking "a substantial package of talent and draft picks" for George, with talks possibly going beyond Thursday's NBA draft.

One team Pritchard apparently hasn't reached out to yet is the Los Angeles Lakers, who George would prefer to join. The Pacers have reportedly held early discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers, though.

The Lakers are reportedly unwilling to send away any of their young talent to acquire George, and with plenty of cap space in summer 2018, they seem more likely to stand pat now and just attempt to sign George outright later.

George is locked to his current contract through 2017-18 for $19.3 million, with a player option of $20.5 million the following year, essentially making him a rental.

He averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals on 46.1 percent shooting this past season for the 42-40 Pacers, who were swept from the opening round of the playoffs by the Cavaliers.