NBA: Bird Waters Down Paul George Trade Talks

By Brian Yalung

When Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson hooked up recently, Paul George trade talks were suddenly suggested. It was later on clarified that the phone conversation both had was nothing more than an exchange of pleasantries.

The suggestion was actually surprising considering the Pacers were dangling their 2017 NBA Draft pick to get George some help. The move was seen as something to appease George who could opt out to check free agency if Indiana cannot step up to be a contender.

While the fate of George remains to be seen, Bird clears the air to say that nothing motivated him to move his star player at the NBA trade deadline. According to the LA Times, the NBA legend considers it nothing but ‘fake news’.

“Somebody’s gonna start it and [it] just was a snowball effect. [The phone call] was not about Paul George,” said Bird.

Paul George remains the top dog for the Pacers for now as Bird tries to beef up the roster to support him. As far as 2018 NBA Free Agency, it could all depend on whether both are on the same page. If not, that may be the only time that Bird would gauge his options.