George: would love to stay in OKC, too soon to decide

The Oklahoma City Thunder's Big Three experiment of 2017-18 ended with a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Utah Jazz, and now the question is whether the team can retain superstar Paul George.

As he has for most of the season, George made it sound promising to Thunder fans that he could return.

"It was a lot to be happy about, the fans, the city, the organization, everything has been unbelievable," George said on the postgame media podium Friday night, before offering a caveat. "It's too soon. I'd love to remain a Thunder, but that's what this summer is for. We'll address that in the summer."

George is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. It's well-known that his hometown Los Angeles Lakers will have an interest in the five-time All-Star, who turns 28 next week.

Related: 1st-round loss massive failure for Thunder ahead of big summer

From a cost standpoint, the Thunder are probably hoping George opts in on his final year; if George signed a new contract with the Thunder, it could push their salary commitments for next season into the neighborhood of $150 million - with a possible $123 million luxury tax bill.

Another question for the Thunder surrounds Carmelo Anthony, who has an early termination option on his contract. Anthony didn't integrate with Russell Westbrook's team as well as George, but it's conceivable he would want to pick up his $28 million option for next season anyways. At age 34, it's unlikely Anthony will get that kind of money on the open market.

George was acquired from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in a blockbuster trade last June. For what it's worth, Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver compared George's remarks from Friday with the end of last season in Indiana, when he demanded a trade.

George shot a putrid 2-for-16 in Friday's elimination game, finishing with just five points. Still, he had his usual All-Star caliber season in OKC, including maybe his best defensively, averaging a career-high two steals per game.