The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics have been in talks about a Paul George trade for quite some time. The asking price for is predictably high, though Indiana lost some leverage after George informed the team of his intentions in 2018. Despite that, Indiana seemed intent on getting ample value back for their star forward. According to Marc Murphy of the Boston Herald, the Pacers have asked the Celtics for next year’s Nets and Lakers first round draft picks plus at least one starting-caliber player.
Source added that Pritchard's last demand was for next year's Nets and Lakers picks, plus starting player(s).
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) June 29, 2017
Murphy also reports that the Celtics view Indiana’s demands as unrealistic. George is entering the final year of his contract and is interested in doing the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018. This means any team who trades for him may only have his services for one season, unless he is convinced otherwise. Teams like Boston and Cleveland, who have winning cultures and stars, may be able to persuade him to sign an extension. The Lakers are obviously aware of this and have discussed a trade for Paul George, which would give them the ability to sign him to a longer contract.
League source: Celtics waiting to hear back from Indy's Pritchard, but consider his current demand for George unrealistic.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) June 29, 2017
This is not to say the two sides are far apart in negotiations. Indiana understands they should shoot for the moon to see if another team gets anxious and overpays for George. The possibility that he leaves for the Lakers in a year is a scary scenario for the Celtics, so it is understandable why they feel the Pacers’ demands are outrageously high. The Celtics have a master plan of prying coveted forward Gordon Hayward away from Utah and pairing him with George, a tantalizing possibility.
