George wanted Pacers-Warriors trade but knew it would have been rejected by NBA

Paul George to the Warriors nearly happened this offseason but even if the Indiana Pacers and Golden State agreed to the trade, the star forward believes NBA commissioner Adam Silver would have nixed the deal.

George told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski in a podcast published Thursday the Pacers asked for Klay Thompson in return to send him to the Bay Area.

Golden State said no, which might have been for the best, as George ended up at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I think that would have been a Chris Paul to L.A. situation where they got denied at that trade,” George said, via the Norman Transcript.

“Yeah, I was aware of it. I would’ve looked forward to it, of just being in a good situation and a chance to compete for a championship. But it didn’t happen.

“It’s still fun to team up with a special talent and have a chance to compete against that team.”

George is referencing a voided trade between the Lakers and then-New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul in 2011.

Both sides accepted but the trade was rejected by then-commissioner David Stern.