George committed to Pacers in 2017-18

INDIANAPOLIS » Paul George is committed to playing for the Indiana Pacers next season.

After that, it’s anybody’s guess.

The four-time All-Star forward provided clarity on his short-term plan June 15 before playing in a charity softball game just a short walk away from the only NBA arena he has called home.

“I am a Pacer. I am under contract and I intend to play,” he said while sitting in the first base dugout.

George’s succinct message might satisfy Pacers fans temporarily, though the much larger question still looms: Will he continue to suit up in Indiana beyond 2017-18?

If he doesn’t sign the max contract former president of basketball operations Larry Bird has been promising before July 2018, George could become one of the most coveted free agents on the market next summer.

He has averaged 18.1 points and 6.3 rebounds over seven NBA seasons and is considered one of the best two-way players in the league.

The last two seasons have been the best of his career. Since returning for the final six games of the 201415 season, after gruesomely breaking his left leg, George has taken his game to new heights. He averaged 23.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in 2015-16.

Last season, he scored 23.7 points and grabbed 6.6 rebounds, not quite enough to earn a spot on the three all-NBA teams and perhaps costing him an additional $75 million from the Pacers.

All of those factors, and George’s occasional dissatisfaction with what has gone on inside the organization, has led to speculation that the 27-year-old star could sign with his hometown team and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another title.

Over the past four months, George has seemingly heard it all.

At the February trade deadline, there was speculation that he could be headed to Boston or Atlanta.