Paul George is holding out hope that he will be voted on an All-NBA team. [Frank McGrath/PS&E]
Last month, we reported that the NBA understood that it was not practical for teams to learn the results of the All-NBA voting until after the 2017 NBA Draft, and so that it would be announced before then.
The draft is set for Thursday, June 22nd, and the inaugural NBA Awards Show isn’t until the following Monday — June 26th. (The Pacers own picks 18 and 47.)
On Monday, the league said All-NBA First, Second, and Third Teams will be announced on Thursday. So that’s when we will know whether or not Paul George was voted on and would then be in line for a supermax contract extension. The same applies to Utah’s Gordon Hayward. Both are forwards, and both will likely be on the outside looking in.
About 100 sportscasters and sportswriters from around the globe vote for two guards, two forwards, and one center to each team. That means these select media members, who locked in their votes one month ago, would need to decide that George was one of the best six forwards in the league this season.
It is a season award, not a best players list. I don’t think anyone would argue that George is a top 15 player.
[Reggie Miller believes PG is worthy]
Why does it matter if George landed on one of the lists?
He would be in line for a Designated Player Extension, a new clause in the newly ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement. If he qualifies, the Pacers could offer him $75 million-plus more guaranteed than any other team, including an additional season. Only with the Pacers could he sign a five-year deal in the ballpark of $210 million.
If he does not qualify, the Pacers could extend his contract for another five years averaging around $35 million per year. If he decides to play the year out and then go elsewhere, he would leave $45 million on the table if he signs elsewhere for more than $130 million over four years.
In my conversations with about a dozen reporters around the league during the playoffs, each with votes, the majority did not include George on their ballot.
“Man I hope so,” George said in April of whether he’s worthy of a spot. “You’ve got a couple guys that so-called have been ahead of me, who have other guys on that list. I’ve been trying to lead and do it at both ends this whole season. Hopefully they take that into account, especially closing this year out, get us in the playoffs.
“If I make it I do. If I don’t, so be it.”
If George does not get voted to an All-NBA team and/or he wants to play elsewhere, as many around the league believe, the Pacers, specifically new President Kevin Pritchard, hope to know so that they can consider trading PG.
The last thing the Pacers can afford is to be Oklahoma City: Losing Kevin Durant for nothing.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’ll be forthcoming,” Pritchard said.
George spoke with Pritchard for more than 45 minutes during his exit interview.
“We talked about a lot of different things, and every scenario he talked about being here,” Pritchard added. “That’s important. Him wanting to be here is important. He kept coming back to one statement that hits me hard and that we all know: He wants to win.
“The message was he wants to win, the Pacers want to win, we’re on the same page.”