'This is my team': George expects to stay with Pacers next season

Paul George could be one of the next big names to find a new home, but the Indiana Pacers superstar says that isn't likely to happen any time next season.

Ahead of his annual softball game in Indiana, the highly coveted forward strongly reiterated his commitment to playing out his contract with the Pacers, according to Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star.

"I'm a Pacer," he said. "There's no way around that. This is my team, my group, and this is where I'm at.

"I’m under contract as a Pacer," George added. "That’s all that needs to really be known. I’m here. I’m a Pacer."

George, who holds a player option for the 2018 season, also stated that he still hopes to win a championship with Indiana.

While the statements may have been made simply to please the crowd, his desire to contend for championships was a point many used to link George to a potential change of address.

He was connected to several teams in the second half of the season, especially the Boston Celtics - owners of the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. George said of the rumors: "They're all crazy, but they're all expected."

Related: George trade offers were aplenty, but Pacers didn't really consider any

Teammate Myles Turner offered his two cents on the discussion to Derek Schultz‏ of FOX Sports.