Indiana Pacers has decided to withdraw from trade market hours before the trade deadline, following the failure to get good offer for Paul George. However, the decision has made relationship between the Pacers and its forward become awkward.
Pacers has stopped the effort to trade George after the team did not receive the suitable offer for its main forward. However, the relationship between the team management and George will never be the same after the failed trade.
According to SB Nation, planning to trade the George near the trade deadline does not make sense. Although the 26-year-old player will become free agent next year, but the harsh decision has ruined relationship between them.
The small forward has been loyal to Indiana Pacers since he was drafted in 2010, but his loyalty doesn’t receive reciprocate with the Pacers management. For seven years, the team has failed to build the strong team that able to be a playoffs contender around George. To make things worse, the team has already began to initiate negotiation with many teams.
Prior to the trade negotiation, George signaled his unwillingness to stay in Indiana. In an interview with ESPN , he stated that he wanted to stay with the Pacers, but as a player he also wanted to play for the winning team.
“I want to compete for something,” the 6’9” small forward said. “It's frustrating just playing the game for stats or for numbers or to showcase yourself.”
George signed his contract extension in September 2013 after his rookie contract ended. He signed the designated player contract with Indiana Pacers that gave him 5/30% deal. The 5/30% means he signed for 5 years and earned 30% of salary cap.
Up to now, there are only three players who have signed the designated player contract. Beside George, there are Derrick Rose with Chicago Bulls before he was traded to Knicks and Blake Griffin with LA Clippers that will end in 2018.
Watch the interview with George regarding his trade rumor and his future plan below:
