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What the Celtics Could Offer for Paul George

By Michael James

Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) points during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) points during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul George reportedly told the Pacers that he intends to leave the franchise next summer.

This news comes the day after the Celtics agreed to trade the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft to the Sixers. In that deal, the Celtics received the third pick, and the Lakers first round pick in 2018, as well as the Kings first rounder in 2019 if the Lakers pick falls outside positions 2-5.

The idea for the Celtics trading back seems to have revealed itself already. The first pick was too much for George, but maybe the new assets they have could fetch a deal from Indiana.

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The added element that creates issues for a team trading for George is that he prefers to go to the Lakers in free agency. This introduces a level of risk that might make the deal unattractive for the Celtics. However, this news that he’s leaving the Pacers will most likely drive the price down on a trade package.

This is where Danny Ainge comes into play. He now can get George for cheaper than he could have at the trade deadline, which makes the risk worth it. I don’t think that George will leave a winning situation in Boston after a full season to go to the mediocre Lakers.

So for Ainge, getting George for cheap would be a terrific move that would help the Celtics in the eastern conference. We’ll now take a look at what kind of packages Ainge could offer to the Pacers that would likely get a deal done.

Option 1: The #3 Pick

The Celtics now own the third pick, which in a loaded draft class is still very valuable. They can offer the Pacers their choice at some of the best prospects on the board as well Boston’s own 2018 pick.

Boston has enough cap space right now to bring in George, and clear out the rest of their non guaranteed contracts to add short term veteran help to give Boston the best chance at winning the title next year.

Option 2: Crowder and the Lakers Pick

The Celtics could keep the third pick and take a highly touted prospect, and give up a current player along with a less prized draft pick to get George. Here the Celtics cold offer Crowder, Zeller, and the Lakers 2018 pick as well as some of the future firsts that Boston owns from Memphis or the Clippers.

Here the Celtics could use the third pick on Josh Jackson, trade Crowder for George, and have a new wing rotation of George, Jackson, and Brown. That is an extremely versatile and dangerous threesome that would probably be the best chance to stop the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Of all the options, this is my preferred choice.

Next: Celtics Only Mock Draft 2.0

There are far more options that the Celtics could explore here, but the main offers will be centered around Crowder or the #3 pick. The Celtics will have competition in the bidding for George, so that will explain if the price goes up from what you’re expecting.