It must have been a crazy game for Paul George yesterday when the Oklahoma City Thunder played against the Los Angeles Lakers after rumors for many months now have suggested he would join the Lakers team in the near future.
The Thunder narrowly lost 108-104 to the Lakers on Sunday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, and once again defensive issues were the main reason why the Thunder lost another close game, as they allowed 13 3-pointers in the contest.
Oklahoma has dropped four of five since losing defensive stopper Andre Roberson to a season-ending left patellar tendon injury, and it showed on the scoreboard as for Los Angeles, Brook Lopez scored 20 points, Julius Randle added 19, Jordan Clarkson had 18 points, and Brandon Ingram added 16.
The Thunder responded in their usual ways through George and Russell Westbrook, but even their performances meant the team came up short, as Westbrook scored 36 points while George had 26. It must have been a funny game for the small forward to play in since he has been heavily linked to the Lakers over the past couple of months.
Last week before the game, the five-time All-Star was asked if he's going to stay put after this season with the Thunder, or if a move to the Lakers still potentially on the cards.
George told ESPN's Rachel Nichols: "I obviously would've loved to go home. That was ideal when it was that time. But now, being here and playing alongside Russ, playing alongside Melo, I've built real brotherhood with those guys. If we're here right now, then where can we be next year? Where can we be the year after that?
"Of course L.A. is home so that's always gonna draw the attention, but we'll see. I won't rule anything out, but I'm definitely happy where I'm at and I like where we're going. And I wanna see how this unfolds."
The fact he's not willing to rule out a move to the Lakers next summer shows he still has his mind set on winning an NBA title, and if it doesn't happen this year with the Thunder, he could potentially jump ship and move out West.