THUNDER JOURNAL
Paul George expands on free agency
Two weeks ago, ESPN released a snippet of an interview between Thunder forward Paul
George and Rachel Nichols in which George hinted strongly at his chances of returning to Oklahoma City.
On Sunday night, ESPN released more of that interview, a clip in which George said he feels a “real brotherhood” with Carmelo
Anthony and Russell Westbrook.
“If we’re here right now, then where can we be next year? Where can we be the year after that?,” George asked about the Thunder’s potential. “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. I like where we’re going, and I wanna see how this unfolds.”
In the original clip released by ESPN, George said Westbrook is the reason “this decision is becoming even easier to make,” when asked about his free agency.
George is slated to make $20.7 million next season, but can opt out of the final year of his contract this summer and become an unrestricted free agent. Before being traded to Oklahoma City from Indiana, George’s agent, Aaron Mintz, informed the Pacers that Los Angeles was a preferred destination.
George, who’s from Palmdale, Calif., about an hour and 20 minutes north of L.A., isn’t ruling out the possibility of playing in L.A. Growing up, he idolized Kobe Bryant, but also rooted for the Clippers. The Clippers’ trade of Blake
Griffin to Detroit and their reported interest in offloading the contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams are maneuvers to try and clear cap space over the next two seasons to sign a maximum salary free agent like George.
“You gotta put all that perspective as a player and figure out what’s best for yourself,” George told Nichols about his impending free agency. “I gotta figure out what’s good for my kids, what’s good for my girls. So, it’s a big decision, but when the time comes, I’ll be ready for it.”
George, 27, was selected to his fifth All-Star Game, which will be played in Los Angeles on Feb. 18.
He said he’s grown used to the rumors about returning to L.A., and he’s never shied away from his love for his hometown.
It doesn’t mean he’s bound for the west coast or his decision has been made.
“Even when I was in Indiana, you hear the stories. ‘Oh, he’s coming here. I seen him at Runyan,’ or ‘I seen him working out at this facility. He’s definitely coming to L.A.,’” George said. “I’m just used to it. I don’t let it bother me. I know that’s gonna be there. It sucks, but I understand it’s apart of the job. It’s part of what I do.”
Donovan ‘not sure’ who starts vs. Warriors
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said he’s not sure of who will start against Golden State on Tuesday as the team looks to end a fourgame losing streak.
The Thunder has lost four of five games since Andre Roberson was lost for the season with a ruptured left patellar tendon. Its defense was showing cracks with Roberson in the lineup, but in the last five games, the Thunder is allowing opponents to shoot 40.4 percent from 3-point range.
Donovan was still evaluating after Monday’s practice what the starting lineup would be, not specifying if changes would be made at shooting guard, other positions, or at all.
Due to the schedule, Monday was just the Thunder’s second day of practice since Roberson’s injury on Jan. 27.
“We’ve lost four in a row. My job is to try to look at what’s best for our team,” Donovan said. “I’m not saying I’m going to do that (change the starting lineup), but I think I have to look at all those things right now.”
The Thunder has gone 5-7 in the 12 games rookie Terrance Ferguson has started in Roberson’s absence. Donovan said any decision wouldn’t have with the 19-year-old, but how the Thunder works best without Roberson and what are the matchups.
A strong start against Golden State is imperative for the Thunder, which has given up 110.6 points per 100 possessions in the first quarter in the last five games. Despite starting for Roberson, however, Ferguson has played the second-fewest minutes (68) of the Thunder’s 10 rotation players in the last five games. Only Patrick Patterson (64) has played less, with Jerami Grant playing the most (104 minutes) outside of Steven Adams, Anthony, George and Westbrook.
Report: Thunder interested in Hood
The Thunder remains in pursuit of a wing player with the trade deadline looming Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported Monday that the Thunder is interested in shooting guard/small forward Rodney Hood. The 6-foot-8, 206-pound Hood fits the Thunder’s type as a bigger guard who’s young (25) and on a controllable contract.
Hood is making $2.4 million in the final year of his rookie scale contract. Hood will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Jazz (or whoever Hood could hypothetically be traded to) could match any offer for him in free agency.
Hood isn’t the defender Roberson is, but he’s a career 36.9 percent 3-point shooter who’s hitting a career-best 38.7 this season from beyond the arc.
Per the Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz are seeking an “asset” for Hood, with a first-round pick being optimal. The Thunder’s firstround picks in 2018 and 2020 are owned by Minnesota and Orlando, respectively. Teams cannot trade firstround picks in consecutive seasons.
The Thunder passed on the chance to get Hood in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was selected No. 23 overall, two spots behind Mitch McGary.