The Indiana Pacers' demand from the Celtics in a trade for Paul George is two starting players (Jae Crowder? Avery Bradley?), plus Boston's first-round picks next year from Brooklyn and the L.A. Lakers, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald.
Murphy also tweeted that the Celtics consider that asking price "unrealistic" and are waiting to hear back from Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard.
That price seems pretty steep considering Paul is in the final year of his contract and, unless Danny Ainge could sign him to an extension, would be a one-year rental player.
According to Adam Kaufman of WBZ News Radio and 98.5 The Sports Hub, the Celtics have offered the Pacers the first-round pick they received from the 76ers, either the 2019 Grizzlies or Clippers’ protected first-round pick, Crowder and a money filler.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported this week that the Celtics’ plan is to sign Gordon Hayward and then trade for George. The C’s will have competition in trade talks, however, as the Rockets are reportedly interested in him after trading for Chris Paul.
Boston Celtics
A four-time All-Star, the 27-year-old George is likely to be dealt given that he notified the Pacers that he intends to leave in free agency next summer.