8 teams that Paul George can play for in 2018-19 and beyond 

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz - Game Six
Paul George will be a free agent in the summer

With the Oklahoma City Thunder losing in the first-round to the Utah Jazz, questions are looming whether or not Paul George will stay with Russell Westbrook and Co. He is an unrestricted free agent and George was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the offseason last year.

It was championship or bust for the Thunder and they failed to get past the first round. George averaged 21.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 3.3 APG during the regular season. He averaged 23.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 3.3 APG during the 2016-17 regular season with the Indiana Pacers.

George's numbers dropped a little bit and the experiment with him, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony didn't seem to work out as the Thunder would have hoped.

Paul George is a free agent in the summer and let us look at the franchises where could end up at.


#1 Oklahoma City Thunder

The reason why George could stay with the Thunder is if he gives it another try with Russell Westbrook and if Carmelo Anthony leaves. Oklahoma City isn't probably George's first choice at the moment, but it probably isn't his worst option either.

The Thunder would be a good choice for George because he just played the past season there and he feels like he doesn't want to play anywhere else right now.

Oklahoma City can bring back Paul George because he played with them for the 2017-18 season. The Thunder have cap issues and they can't sign free agents that weren't with the team the season before.

#2 Los Angeles Lakers

Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Lakers
George would love to play alongside the Lakers' young starlets

Paul George is from Palmdale, CA and he isn't far from the Staples Center. This could be Magic Johnson's first big free agent signing and it might attract other stars to come to Los Angeles.

They also have promising players like Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram.The young players would attract Paul George to come and he would be the main superstar there. The Lakers have the cap space to give George a max-contract.

#3 San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors - Game One
George could be Leonard's replacement

The only way this move makes sense is if Kawhi Leonard gets traded. George and Kawhi play the same position and if Leonard stays, this wouldn't make sense for George.

What the Spurs would be getting out of George compared to Kawhi is that George isn't as injury prone. That is why George would be a good fit.

Gregg Popovich would also love to coach him up. If Leonard gets moved, the Spurs would have the cap space to sign George.

#4 Utah Jazz

Houston Rockets v Utah Jazz - Game Four
Quin Snyder's side needs more featured scorers

If you can't beat them, join them? Well, it would be a little different here. Utah isn't exactly a powerhouse like the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets are. The Jazz don't have much offensive firepower apart from Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles.

George would be a perfect go two player for the Jazz and it would increase Mitchell's production even more. Ingles would be the sixth-man instead and not a starter.

The Jazz are also well coached by Quin Synder and that is one of the reasons why George would go there. Utah has $11 million in cap space, but George might be looking for more money.

#5 Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics
Philly could do with a veteran leader

"Trust the Process" needs another superstar in order to compete with the Boston Celtics down the line. Ben Simmons wouldn't have any problems with passing the ball to George all game and Joel Embiid would love to have a player like George to work along with.

George himself would relish the opportunity of being the veteran leader of a young an talented Philly side. The 76ers have $30 million in cap space and they could give George a big contract.

#6 Cleveland Cavaliers

Toronto Raptors v Cleveland Cavaliers - Game Three
Paul George has been on Cleveland's radar before

Yes, I get what you're all thinking. LeBron James has a ton of help and doesn't need any superstars but let's face the facts. LeBron doesn't have as much help as you think. It's just LeBron, the inconsistent Kevin Love, and everybody else. Paul George would be LeBron's perfect sidekick.

They don't have three stars on the team and that's how many they had when they won the NBA title in 2016. If LeBron stays in Cleveland and if they lose again to Golden State, Paul George would be a perfect fit for the Cavaliers. Cleveland is over the cap, but they would be willing to make some moves in order for it to work.

#7 Washington Wizards

Memphis Grizzlies v Washington Wizards
The Wall/Beal era has not been good enough for Washington

Even though John Wall and Bradley Beal are playing under max-contracts, they need another player to help them out. George would be another perfect fit and it would force Otto Porter Jr. to come off the bench, but in order to make room for George, they would have to probably trade Porter Jr. because his contract takes up $26 million in cap space.

Washington has been underachievers during the Wall/Beal era in Washington. George would also bring a leadership asset and it is something Wall and Beal both lack.

The Wizards are $23 million under the cap and they could also trade Ian Mahinmi ($15 million) as well. That would mean $18 million would be available for Paul George.

#8 Miami Heat

Goran Dragic needs help on offense
Goran Dragic needs help on offense

The Heat have a good roster, but they are missing a true scorer. George would be the main shooter on the team and the Eastern Conference would be more interesting to watch if George went to Miami.

They have a very good defense and Miami is well coached by Erik Spoelstra. Making Goran Dragic the second option instead of the first would be a good thing. Dion Waiters would become the third scoring option and he could thrive off of that.

Miami is $20 million under the cap, but they are looking to move center Hassan Whiteside in the offseason, who is owed $25 million. They should also move James Johnson who is owed $14 million. That would mean they would have $19 million available and that would be enough money to give to George.

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Edited by Raunak J