After three straight trips to the NBA Finals and winning two of them including the most recent, the Golden State Warriors are the best team in the league without a debate. Teams have tried, especially this summer, to replicate the ‘super team’ format the Warriors have perfected and while the top of the West has improved, Golden State remains the heavy favorite.
One of the marquee names that headed West this summer was Paul George who was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder after played out trade drama. Before he was dealt to OKC, George informed the Pacers and the NBA that he plans on ultimately signing with the Los Angeles Lakers once he hits free agency next summer.
While the Warriors already roster multiple all-NBA talents, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic told Tim Bontemps on his Posting Up podcast that he expects them to go after another one in Paul George next offseason (h/t Dan Feldman of NBC Sports):
Marcus and I have teased this for more than a year. We think they’re going to go after Paul George, somehow. I think Joe Lacob is going to try to find a way to get Paul George. I don’t know how that would happen, but I didn’t know how it was going to happen when they were – three years ago, when they said they were go after Durant. Well, they didn’t say it. But they might have whispered it.
Though the Warriors are said to be interested in George next summer, him joining Golden State should be considered a longshot to say the least. There’s no guarantee that George opts to test free agency next summer anyway, especially if he and Russell Westbrook mesh well together and lead OKC deep into the playoffs.
If the Thunder were to underwhelm this season, PG has already pointed out the Lakers as his desired destination spot so the Warriors are on the outside looking in right now and it should stay that way.
