ESPN aired the third installment and finale of their docuseries that chronicled Paul George’s free agency, and it was the most revealing regarding the All-star’s motivation behind his decision.
On July 1st, reports came out that George would be spurning his desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and instead sign a 4-year, $137 million deal to stay in Oklahoma City. In the episode, George alluded to the fact that the Lakers not being as forward in acquiring him a year prior as the Thunder were, perhaps played some part in his free agency decision.
“It’s not an easy decision, I 100 percent appreciate Laker Nation and their fans for wanting me to come home and to play in front of them,” George said. “I wanted to come here a year ago, prior to coming to [Oklahoma City], but unfortunately I wasn’t traded to the Lakers. The Lakers didn’t grab me – I was traded to Oklahoma, and that has been a beautiful thing for me.”
George’s affinity for the Lakers and playing his home state of California was well-documented, but his time in Oklahoma City and playing alongside Russell Westbrook seems to have had quite the positive effect on the 28-year-old.
George was complimentary of the Thunder, saying that he wanted to be a “part of something that’s special” with which he could have a hand in creating. He continued on to cite his “open and honest” relationship with Thunder general manager Sam Presti and head coach Billy Donovan, saying he felt like he has formed a “family” and “brotherhood” with those in the organization.
However, it was his thoughts on Westbrook that indicated further he and the 2017 league MVP grew very fond of each other and cultivated a relationship that George didn’t want to sever.
Calling him “one of the best human beings” he’s been around, George said that it is his approach to the game that makes building with a player of Westbrook’s caliber an attractive proposition.
“[Russell Westbrook] is someone that I can win with, and vice versa,” George said. “ So I think with this decision, that makes me much more comfortable knowing I got a real shot and a real chance to win with one of the best players in the league.”
