Paul George Could’ve Won His 1st Ring With Jaylen Brown if This Celtics Trade Went Through – Detailing the 2017 Mishap, via Bill Simmons

The ring culture in the NBA has consumed the minds and operations of the league’s most coveted superstars. Every season, the priority for every blockbuster talent is to position themselves to win an NBA championship. For most, that formula has worked. Some have been unlucky like Paul George, who is yet to taste the high of winning a chip. But what if there was a chance for him to win, which was stolen away from him? It came in 2017 when the Indiana Pacers were looking to part ways with George and the Celtics came knocking on their doors.

On the Bill Simmons podcast, the host assessed the past trade offer from the Shamrocks. Notably, two offers were made. The first came during the trade deadline. The Celtics offered their pick swap with the Brooklyn Nets, which eventually unfolded to become Jayson Tatum, the current Celtics ace. If it did go through, George would be a Celtic and eventually teammates with All-Star Jaylen Brown just one season later.

The Celtics also offered a herd of first-round picks and two starters in 2018 to pull off a trade for PG13. The Pacers, though, didn’t show any interest in strengthening their conference rivals. They traded George to OKC in return for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The Celtics were reportedly furious, but Simmons believes it was the right move for Indiana at the time.

“Indiana took that Oladipo-Sibonis deal and Boston was furious because they were like, we had a better deal. In retrospect, not a better deal, right? Three picks in their top 20s, Crowder and Smart versus Sibonis and Oladipo”, Simmons said on his podcast.

From the Pacers’, they received two young, hungry individuals who would eventually become All-Stars and lengthen their postseason history. On the other hand, George would enjoy the best years of his career with the Thunder, even being in the running for both MVP and DPOY in 2018.

However, one can’t help but imagine the 34-year-old in a green Celtics jersey. He was at the same stage of his career as Tatum was right now. He might have led the Shamrocks to a championship earlier, combined with the explosiveness and desire of Jaylen Brown. At least he would be in the constant hunt for the title. Now, George is impending free agency talks with the Clippers reportedly not willing to offer him the desired contract amount. The Philadelphia 76ers have stepped up as prime suitors for PG13.

Paul George loves Jayson Tatum

Even though Tatum’s destiny could have been his and they are compared, Paul George never shies away from celebrating the basketball prodigy. He has always spoken praise when asked about the Celtics’ dynamic forward. Last season, when the Celtics made their third straight ECF on the back of Jayson Tatum’s exquisite season, he saw him to be better than Nikola Jokić.

“Young guy, went to the finals last year, he could have very well satisfied with that. He’s gotten better though, his game has gotten better, and he’s confident with who he is as a player in this league now, and it’s showing. 40 balls, 50 balls, like he is going crazy. What is Boston? First in the east? You’ve gotta give it to Tatum, what he’s doing is incredible. That team, people didn’t think that team was gonna get back to where they’re at. They didn’t think they’d be that successful last year, and what they’re doing now, Tatum is my favorite in the MVP race. He’s so young”, said the Clippers forward during an episode of his podcast.

The two have shared numerous battles since Tatum arrived in the league. They are true equal matches of one another. George too has admitted to seeing similarities between him and the Celtics ace. So no matter how fate spun its web, George doesn’t seem to be a man of regrets. He is celebrating the young and breezing talent that is flowing into the NBA and he is excited for the future.

Do you think Jayson Tatum will add a record 18th championship banner in the TD Garden? Let us know your views in the comments below.