NBA Rumors: With OKC eliminated, Paul George to Los Angeles Lakers rumors begin to brew

NBA Rumors: Be prepared, now that the Oklahoma City Thunder have been eliminated from the playoffs, the Paul George to the Los Angeles Lakers whispers will once again circulate

Less than an hour after OKC’s Game 6 loss to Utah, Paul George had already declared his preference to stay with the Thunder. Still, it is anticipated that rumors about a potential Los Angeles homecoming are going to emerge.

During the post-game interview, George told reporters how amazing the season was for him despite the Thunder’s loss. He said it was a “learning experience” playing alongside two of his fellow All-Stars in Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

George also praised the efforts of starting center Steven Adams and how the team missed Andre Roberson in the postseason. He said “everything has been unbelievable,” but it was “too soon” to tell where he would end up this summer.

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"[via SI.com]“It was a lot to be happy about. The fans, the city, the organization. Everything has been unbelievable. It’s too soon. I’d love to remain a Thunder but that’s what this summer is for so we’ll address that in the summer.”"

Expectedly, those kinds of comments would trigger a lot of speculations regarding the five-time All-Star’s future.

Potential Lakers move

During Saturday’s exit interview, George admitted how hard it is for him to enter free agency for the first time. He said that he appreciates the freedom to choose where a player wants to play next.

However, George continued that the Thunder have checked “all the boxes” on what he wants in an organization. This makes Oklahoma City a potential long-term landing spot, he said.

According to Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler, the prevailing Paul George speculation around the league is that he would head to “his personal dream situation in L.A.”

Even though George has not been vocal about leaving, I believe he was just being respectful of what OKC had done for him this year. It would be ungentlemanly to rave about wanting to join the Lakers while the Thunder and its fans are still mourning about their first-round exit.

It remains to be seen whether George indeed chooses nostalgia over a chance to play with other superstars. However, winning and merely playing are vastly different scenarios.

Must Read: NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Has No Plans To Come Off The Bench Next Season

The Lakers do not have any All-Stars at the moment. But they have a young and solid core of Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart. The Hollywood squad may change everything this coming offseason.