Paul Pierce might be a native of Southern California but as a longtime member of the Boston Celtics, he was one of the most-hated players by Los Angeles Lakers fans. But he still has plenty of friends in the NBA, one of whom is fellow L.A. native and potential 2018 free agent Paul George.
George is expected to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he has been linked to the Lakers for multiple years running. President of basketball operations Magic Johnson and the Lakers front office will be readying their pitch to him, but Pierce seems to have already made one for George as well.
On ESPN’s NBA Countdown show on Sunday morning, Pierce spoke about the odds of George leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer, and even sounded ready to do his part to convince George to come to L.A:
“I think it all depends on how the Oklahoma City Thunder end up in the playoffs this year. Because if they don’t play well, say they lose the second round or maybe swept, if they get to the Conference Finals and they give it a fight and have an opportunity going to the Finals, I could see him coming back. But if things don’t go well in the playoffs, ‘Hey Paul George, you know you live in L.A. I could show you some good lakes to fish in. I can show you some great lakes.’
“When you listen to his interview, he’s like, ‘What better place to raise his kids?’ He’s next to his mom and friends in Los Angeles. This is where he’s from. He lives, probably, like five minute from me. So if you need advice on some schools, I can tell him where to go. I’m a Paul George fan. I love Paul George. And, I hope it’s a package deal and you bring Russ with you.”
While Pierce’s idea of bringing Russell Westbrook along sounds amazing, Pierce probably forgot that Westbrook recently signed a maximum contract extension, so he isn’t going anywhere. Nonetheless, the Lakers simply signing George would be a huge accomplishment in itself.
Pierce may have been the chief rival of the Lakers, but perhaps some things could be forgiven if he helped usher George to his hometown team.
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