How Paul George’s OKC Decision Affects the Summer of LeBron and Kawhi Leonard

LeBron James hasn’t made his third “Decision” yet, but Paul George’s decision to decline to opt-in to his player option with the Thunder does give us some indication as to what James’ choice for where he will play next season is going to be.

The key word there is “some.”

By turning down his $20.7 million salary for the 2018-19 season, George has not automatically shut the door on staying in Oklahoma City, but he has made it clear he wants more than $20.7 million to do it. All indications are that OKC has every intention of paying George what he wants, but the duration of how long he would sign for, if he does at all, is still a major question.

Instead of signing a five-year max deal, some believe George will instead sign a one-year deal with another player option, thus giving him the ability to opt out again following next season if he so chooses. So why exactly would he do that? That’s where James and Kawhi Leonard come into play.

Leonard, who has remained adamant he doesn’t want to stay in San Antonio, has reportedly told teams who are seeking to acquire him in a trade that he will be signing with the Los Angeles Lakers following this season regardless of where he ends up. While it’s still possible the Lakers will be able to trade for him now, it’s a lock Leonard will be in LA before the 2019-20 season.

That means if George stays in OKC this year via the one-and-one deal mentioned above, he could still opt out after the season and join Leonard in Los Angeles before 2019-20.

Which brings us to James, who has the same opt-in or opt-out decision looking him in the face that George did. If he declines to opt-in in Cleveland, James could sign the same type of one-and-one deal with the Cavaliers George could sign with Oklahoma City. Should he do that, he’d also be able to team with Leonard, and potentially George, in LA for the 2019-20 season.

James also has the chance to sign with LA this year should be not opt-in, but it sounds as if he will only go that route if Leonard ends up with the Lakers in the next few days as James wants to make his decision early in free agency, which begins on July 1. Popsicle headache anyone?

Reading all of those tea leaves, a lot would have to happen to get James, Leonard and George in Los Angeles for next season, so the odds on that happening are low. However, since they all can get there as free agents after the season, the odds of it happening for 2019-20 seem high.

James has until late Friday night to decide about his option in Cleveland so, unless Leonard is somehow traded before then, that’ll be the next domino to fall. George was the first.