NEW ORLEANS -- In an attempt to secure help for All-Star forward Paul George, the Indiana Pacers have made their 2017 first-round pick available in a trade, league sources told ESPN.
In what is considered to be a deep draft, the Pacers are hoping that such an asset would translate to the addition of either an established wing or established frontline player, sources told ESPN.
There is hesitancy within the organization to relinquish the precious pick, but the team is on the losing end of six in a row and are only two games up from the eighth and final playoff spot.
Only the nine-win Brooklyn Nets currently have a longer losing streak.
George can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2017-18 season. The Pacers have a small window to provide him with a championship-type supporting cast.
And whether or not he signs an extension this summer will likely be predicated on the moves the franchise can execute up to that point.
George is fixated on bringing a title to Indiana. On numerous occasions, including on Friday, he has voiced his desire to be a revered Pacers' figure.
"I wanted to be the first and want to be the first to be able to bring a championship to Indiana," George said to ESPN Radio Friday morning. "So that's still on my mind ... and something I definitely want to achieve in Indiana."
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Asked about a contract extension that the Pacers are poised to offer him in July, Paul George told ESPN Radio, "I always want to be part of a team that has a chance to win it [all]."
Asked about a contract extension that the Pacers are poised to offer him in July, Paul George told ESPN Radio, "I always want to be part of a team that has a chance to win it [all]."
At 29-28, Indiana is underachieving.
They were supposed to take the next step up and challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers after acquiring point guard Jeff Teague and power forward Thaddeus Young via separate trades last offseason, but that hasn't been the case.
Teague started the season off slow, but has found a balance and Young has missed the last eight games with a wrist injury. He expected to return to the lineup after the All-Star break.
The NBA's trade deadline is Feb. 23.
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