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Lakers Rumors report: Paul George is leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder

By Jason Reed

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25:Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz tries to block Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25:Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz tries to block Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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Paul George has been the central focus of the last year of Lakers rumors. The latest reports indicate that George will indeed hit the open market.

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ front office is likely grinning pretty wide today. ESPN’s Ryen Russillo, who is citing a trusted source, said on his podcast that Paul George is “gone” from the Oklahoma City Thunder (h/t Slam). For Laker fans, this is another chapter in the Lakers rumors saga that has connected George to his hometown team for over a year.

George leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder is not a surprise. With a player option and only set to make $20 million next season, there was no chance that George would opt back into his deal.

And while the Thunder could have made a play for George since the team owns Bird Rights on the star, the chances of the two sides agreeing to a deal were slim. The Thunder never found its footing throughout the season and ultimately lost to the Utah Jazz in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs in six games.

George’s poor performance in that playoff series have raised some concerns around him joining the Lakers. While those concerns are not large enough to slow the Lakers rumors down, the question of whether or not George can be “the guy” has at least been presented.

Regardless, the Lakers are the obvious front-runners for George after this news. There have been reports stemming back to early 2017 that George wanted to be a Laker.

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The biggest hurdle to overcome to land George was the team’s inexperience and potential inability to help George win a title. Los Angeles’ core is very young, and prior to this season, failed to prove themselves.

However, Julius Randle has emerged as a potential all-star next season and Brandon Ingram could make the leap as well. If he doesn’t, he should be an all-star by 2020. Lonzo Ball struggled with his shot but played his role perfectly and could be a 10 point, 10 assist, eight rebound player as early as next season.

Plus, the Lakers freed up $61 million in practical cap space by assuming expiring deals.

This is big as before the season George told SI’s Lee Jenkins that other guys would have to commit for him to consider the Lakers as an option.

"“It would have to be a situation where the ball gets rolling and guys are hopping on. This guy commits, that guy commits. ‘Oh s—, now there’s a team forming.’ It has to be like that.”"

The Lakers have enough space to bring in another star. While it would put them over the cap, George could take a slight paycut and the team could utilize Julius Randle’s Bird Rights. Kawhi Leonard has even been flirted as a trade candidate and the returning DeMarcus Cousins could be a cheap one-year risk.

Regardless, all the stones are in place for Paul George to come to the Los Angeles Lakers. The only thing missing was George himself.

Next: Lakers' trade targets not named Kawhi Leonard

Today, the Lakers got one step closer to signing Paul George; making all of the Lakers rumors over the last year come to fruition in the process.

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