Thunder Exec VP & GM Sam Presti "pulled off a stunner Friday night" with a trade for Pacers F Paul George that "trumped even the Rockets' acquisition" of G Chris Paul on Wednesday. Presti "did the impossible" in finding a "reasonable facsimile" for departed F Kevin Durant. The Thunder "landed short-term boom for possible long-term bust." George has said that he would "like to be a Laker, his hometown team, and next summer George can be a free agent" (OKLAHOMAN, 7/1). The Thunder are "willing to take the gamble as they enter into the prime years" of G Russell Westbrook's career (ESPN.com, 6/30).
It is an "out-of-the-blue move for Presti, who's become known for them" (OKLAHOMAN, 7/1). The "out-of-nowhere trade" puts the Thunder "back among the Western Conference elite with a chance to make this a long-term proposition" (USATODAY.com, 7/1). ESPN.com goes with the header, "OKC Gambles On Paul George And Wins A Trade" (ESPN.com, 7/1). Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard was "going to be fleeced by whoever acquired George, because the Pacers had no leverage." But did the Indiana team "have to lose this badly?" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/1)
