NBA Draft: Paul George to join Oklahoma City Thunder, Blake Griffin to stay at LA Clippers, claim reports

Los Angeles: Indiana Pacers star Paul George is set to join the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster deal that will see Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis head in the opposite direction, reports said Friday. ESPN reported that four-time All-Star forward George heads to the Thunder despite pledging to remain with the Pacers for the 2017-2018 season. [caption id=“attachment_3764015” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Indiana Pacers forward Paul George . Reuters[/caption] George, 27, had been widely linked to a 2018 move to the Los Angeles Lakers when he becomes a free agent next year. Instead, the Pacers star is now poised to join Oklahoma City, where he will forge a partnership with NBA 2016-17 Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook. No further details of the proposed deal were immediately available, but the move would enable Indiana to obtain talent for losing George, something they wouldn’t get if he played out his contract next season. In other trade moves reported on Friday, Los Angeles Clippers stalwart Blake Griffin is set to sign a new five-year deal that will see him remain in California. The Los Angeles Times and ESPN both reported that Griffin would sign a deal worth $173 million after scrapping scheduled meetings with Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. It follows a tumultuous week for the Clippers, who on Wednesday saw Chris Paul depart for the Houston Rockets ahead of free agency starting on Saturday. Paul joined the Rockets following a reported rift with coach Doc Rivers. Griffin, the top overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, last week opted out of his contract and became an unrestricted free agent. Paul and Griffin have been integral to the Clippers record of reaching the post-season in the last six seasons, although they have never made it further than the second round. Griffin has also endured recent seasons disrupted by injuries that have restricted him to just 83 regular season appearances in the past three seasons. Griffin averaged 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last season in 61 games.