Lakers matchup with Thunder is a reminder to stay patient
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hometown kid Paul George makes this a must-see matchup.
Nothing in the NBA has been more talked about than Paul George coming to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were potential trade suitors before George was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, the Laker fans have their eyes set on 2018 as the summer that will change the organization.
All of this is fair speculation. George, an Angeleno in his own right, has not been shy about his desire to play in front of his hometown. George acknowledged the connection to his hometown team back in July.
“There will always be a tie here, a connection here,” George told Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins. “People saying I want to come here, who doesn’t want to play for their hometown? That’s a dream come true.”
Yet George was never traded to the Lakers. Instead, the Pacers sent George to Oklahoma City in return for an emergent Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. For Laker fans, the Paul George fantasy had to wait one more year.
Except those fantasies are still alive and well. With the Lakers set to host the Thunder for the first time this season, the George speculation has re-emerged. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus flirted with the idea of the Lakers trading for George at the deadline. For a Thunder team failing to live up to expectations, it may be necessary to preserve whatever future they have.
George mentioned that he had no regrets in hushing the rumors around the Lakers while he was a Pacer.
“I just would have loved to go back home and play for my city. So, no regrets at all. I think this trade that went down was a win-win for both sides and I’m happy we both can move on,” George said.
Despite mentioning that the trade was a win-win for both parties, the connection is again being brought up. Los Angeles obviously has interest in George, evident by the half-a-million tampering fine the NBA slapped the Lakers with.
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However, this interest should not lead to anything for the Lakers; not yet. As great as a trade sounds, as good as the homecoming would be for ticket sales, the Lakers must stick to their guns.
The Lakers must remain patient. Patience is the key for the Lakers in this rebuild. Acquiring George now does nothing except getting the team Bird Rights. Los Angeles shouldn’t compromise their young depth for a star that guarantees nothing.
Instead, the eyes should remain set on the 2018 summer. Then, the Lakers have the cards completely in their hands. George, DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James and a plethora of stars may be free agents. Then, the Lakers can ensure a second or even third star to bring in alongside Goerge.
Right now, the Lakers cannot guarantee any of that. Right now, acquiring Paul George is a move that may only take the team to the first round of the playoffs. It breaks the team’s patient mold, it puts the future in question.
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While this may not be a popular sentiment in for Laker fans, it is necessary. Los Angeles has gone all in on these young guys and can screw it all up with one trade. Los Angeles can afford to be patient until the summer; it is not like they are set to do anything this season anyway.