Larry Bird: Pacers Ready to Ink Paul George to Max Deal

All Paul George has to do, is say the word, and a max contract is his.

Indiana Pacers team president Larry Bird says it’s a no-brainer, “if Paul wants to get a deal done.”

George and the Pacers have held initial discussions on a possible extension.

Per the Indy Star:

“I know he don’t want to talk about it all year and I don’t either,” Bird said. “We want Paul here and we know what it’s going to cost and what it’s going to take. If Paul wants to get a deal done, we will. It’s a max deal. There’s no others, so there’s no use talking about it. If he wants it, he’s got it.”

 

George, 26, is entering the prime of his career and is under contract for $18.1 million this upcoming season. He is set to earn $19.3 million next season with a player option for $20.5 million in 2018-19, according to HoopsHype.com. George can decline the player option and sign a four-year extension beginning Sunday, as Houston Rockets star James Harden did earlier this summer.

 

Bird said an extension is only dependent on George. […] “We do whatever he wants to do,” Bird said. “He’s proven that he’s a max player. He’s our best player. If he wants a new contract, whenever he wants it, we’ll give it to him.”

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