NBA 2017 Trade Rumors: Paul George’s Superteam Destination Remains a Puzzle

Jun 29, 2017 05:59 AM EDT

Heading to free agency this 2017, roster changes in the NBA have commenced in advance and arguably the most awaited news everyone would love to hear is the answer to the question: Where Paul George is playing next? To be sure, the All-Star is on a mission to get a ring and to ensure success his next stop has to be a Superteam.

When the Indiana Pacers announced that George is available for interested suitors, almost immediately rumors spread that he is headed to Ohio to possibly team up with LeBron James and the rest of the Cleveland crew. Speculations are rife discussions are now ongoing between the Cavs and the Pacers to facilitate the imminent change of jersey by George. And the Denver Nuggets are involved to solve the problem called Kevin Love.

Supposedly, the Indiana front office is not really tickled by the prospect of releasing George and getting Love in return. So the Cavs has to bring in the Nuggets to supply the talents that the Pacers would be interested in. And Love will end up with a Nuggets jersey at the start of Season 2017-18, clearing the way for the Pacers franchise player to jump ship and his destination points to Cleveland.

That's the plan but nothing is written in stone, so to speak. In fact, according to CBS Sports George could also be headed to a number of teams - the Houston Rockets, the Boston Celtics, the LA Lakers and the Cavaliers, to name a few.

George joining the Green Team is in line with his desire to play on the NBA Finals and if possible for the 2018 edition. And looking to Boston is not a bad thing - the team made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals last season and intends to surpass the feat next year. Celtics president Danny Ainge is beefing up the squad and will likely bring in Gordon Heyward to add to the already potent firepower that is Isaiah Thomas. If Paul George becomes one of the C's then it's fairly he'll be joining a club with a Superteam lineup.

He can also consider the Houston Rockets where Chris Paul and James Harden are waiting, and surely will be glad to campaign with George. Or he can narrow down the choice to the Lakers and the Cavaliers. With the latter, George will have the opportunity to play with equal-caliber superstars.

Rumors have it the Cleveland front office could bring in Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade on possible buyout deals, and if true the Cavs will have a Big Five roster with George, Melo and Wade joining King James and Kyrie Irving.

But Bleacher Report said, probably the best bet for Paul George is to give the Cavs Big Five a shot and keep his options open for 2018. "George's best bet and fit is probably the Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year rental before heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency," the report said.

Why the Lakers? Per CBS, "George wants to play for his hometown team and believes he can recruit other stars to join him once he's there." And it makes sense as LA president Magic Johnson has made known he is on the rebuilding path and the goal is to create a Lakers dynasty anew.

The Lakers' road to string of championships is already paved with the acquisition of Lonzo Ball and rumors persist LeBron James could be headed to Los Angeles too as early as next year. If that happens, Paul George is soon linking with a team that in the next few years could bump off the Golden State Warriors and become the Superteam to watch for in the West.