Russell Westbrook has thrown a wrench in the Los Angeles Lakers’ plan to sign Paul George in free agency this summer.
And it’s a big one.
Soon after the NBA’s All-Star reserves were announced and it was clear George didn’t make the cut, Westbrook made an impassioned defense of his teammate. And his words resonated…big time.
Consider what George told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols on Wednesday, when he linked his impending free agency decision to Westbrook’s sentiments, per ESPN.com’s Royce Young:
A day after Russell Westbrook called his All-Star snub “outrageous,” Paul George told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols it was “awesome” to see his Thunderteammate support him, while also noting Westbrook is making George’s future free-agency decision “easier” to make.
“Russ is the reason why this decision is becoming even more easier to make, is the character Russ [has],” George said on Wednesday. “A stand-up guy, and he has his teammate’s back.”
This is actually a wow moment.
No, we don’t want to read too much into George’s response. He doesn’t make any airtight guarantees here. A lot can happen between now and July. But, well, damn. If George isn’t tipping his hand or subtly divulging which way he’s leaning, he’s at the bare minimum put the Oklahoma Thunder at the top of his list, neck and neck with a Lakers franchise many already have him joining.
And this isn’t just about Westbrook’s loyalty—though that’s definitely a huge part of it. The Thunder are finally figuring things out. They’re quietly tied for 10th in offensive efficiency with the Denver Nuggets following an anemic start to the year, and their defense continues to hover inside the top five of points allowed per 100 possessions.
Now that the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed is within striking distance (3.5 games), George has plenty of reasons to be warming up to long-term life in Oklahoma City—including Westbrook’s devout hospitality.
