NBA trade rumors: Will the Pacers look to trade Paul George?

The Indiana Pacers would never let go of someone like Paul George, right? But right now, the team isn't getting any better. George's numbers may not have dipped, but the Pacers are struggling. George can opt out in 2018, and it may be a little difficult to make him sign a contract extension if the team keeps on losing. Will the Pacers trade him before he can leave on his own?

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (via Dan Feldman of NBC Sports), there was absolutely no way that's going to happen.

"I know teams have been calling Indiana, and they're going to ask about Paul George. And the answer is, 'Absolutely, positively no. He is not available. There is no conversation to be had. Don't even make offers to us. We're not moving Paul George.'"

Well, it seems that the Pacers are confident that they can re-sign George when his contract is up. And if he wants to leave, they can always trade him next season, so there's no need to act impulsively. With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Pacers can sign him to a huge contract extension if he is one of the players selected in the All-NBA Team selection.

However, there lies the problem. What if he doesn't get named in an All-NBA Team this year? This means he will have to do everything he can to get selected next season if he wants to re-sign for the designated-player rate.

"But that extra year could sour him on the Pacers or also end without an All-NBA selection, which would limit Indiana's financial advantages over other teams. By that point, it'd be too late to trade George," Feldman said.

Right now, the Pacers are willing to take the risk because players with George's skillsets are not exactly a dime a dozen. Nevertheless, who knows what will happen in the future?