The Pacers get their first reunion with former franchise player Paul George tonight in OKC. While we're only four games into the NBA season, the two pieces Indiana got in return for PG - Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis - are off to terrific starts.
Oladipo is leading the team with 23.8 ppg and is shooting 47% - that's compared to a disappointing 15.9 ppg on 44% FG in Oklahoma City last season. The young Sabonis is averaging a team-high 9.5 rebounds per game and is third in the NBA with a 72% FG. Obviously, we knew their roles would expand, so it’s not a surprise their numbers are up (and, small sample-size!), but they’re already two of the Pacers’ most critical players.
Although George has had some trouble acclimating to the Thunder thus far, he's an All-NBA caliber talent, and his already established ceiling may never be reached by either Oladipo or Sabonis. So, it's not like the play of those two automatically trump the contributions that PG will give Oklahoma City.
The trade was widely panned both locally and nationally (see below), but is it starting to look better for the Blue and Gold? Leave your take on our Fox Sports 97.5 Facebook page.