Report: Paul George traded to OKC for Oladipo, Sabonis
Another day, another NBA superstar on the move.
The Indiana Pacers have traded Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, according to multiple reports Friday night.
The trade was first reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
George notified the Pacers earlier in June that he would seek an exit after his contract expired in 2018. That put pressure on Indiana to salvage value on the last year of his contract.
However, his market was evidently depressed by the fact he was a one-year rental. George has made no secret of his preference to join his hometown Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
George gives the Thunder a legitimate second star to pair with 2016-17 MVP Russell Westbrook. The forward is a phenomenal two-way player who averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 75 appearances last season.
Oladipo, meanwhile, is a former No. 2 overall pick whose development has seemingly stalled. He averaged 15.9 points last season while hitting 36.1 percent from deep, and is slated to earn $21 million per year over the next four seasons.
Sabonis was selected 11th overall last season and submitted a decent rookie year, averaging 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 81 appearances. However, the Lithuanian center shot just 39.9 percent from the field and appeared a step slow defensively.
Indiana reportedly fielded offers from the Celtics, Rockets, and Cavaliers, but apparently preferred OKC's package.