Harden, James top All-NBA team; George, Hayward shut out

And, if either George or Hayward – or both – aren’t on their teams next season, you can be sure there will be plenty of words written about how the media, either directly or indirectly, pushed them out of town.

With George’s omission from the three all-NBA teams announced Thursday, the Pacers lost the ability to use a Designated Player Exception that would’ve allowed them to offer George a five-year, $209 million “supermax” contract extension. If George is selected to one of the teams, he will be eligible to receive a five-year deal from the Pacers worth around $210 million compared to $180 million if he doesn’t. But according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, a trade is unlikely to happen, especially one involving Paul George.

The worst-kept secret around the National Basketball Association is that Paul George is interested in playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Perhaps as significant a story as who made the team was who did not.

Putting the pieces together, it seems clear there’s already been some level of meditation from George on the potential of a homecoming. “Whether he stays in IN or is traded elsewhere, he’s going to be a free agent in 2018 if he doesn’t re-sign this summer in Indiana”.

What George missing out on All-NBA does is strengthen the possibility of trade discussions. This new provision was built into the system following Kevin Durant’s departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency last summer.

He has made one of the three all-NBA teams or has been named the defensive player of the year in two of the prior three seasons or the league’s most valuable player in one of the three prior seasons.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a very good position to improve their team this summer. If a team resigns their own player who has qualified for the DVPE, they can offer more, and that higher amount depends on the team and their payroll.

Hayward is another case.

Hayward, meanwhile, can opt out of his contract this summer and become an unrestricted free agent.

Again, the Thunder has no cap room to sign Hayward.

Jimmy showed a recent clip of Magic Johnson speaking about acquiring the star, but George played things a little more coy. If George doesn’t make All-NBA and declines his ’18-19 player option, he could become a free agent next summer. Then, he will have a few million reasons per season to stay.

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