Lakers Free Agency Rumors: Russell Westbrook, Paul George could eye Los Angeles homecoming together

Come to the Lakers. Together!

The Oklahoma City Thunder made one of the most unexpected splashes of the offseason, acquiring Indiana Pacers star Paul George at the low cost of Damantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo.

Perhaps the deafening Los Angeles Lakers rumors are to thank for the price of George being driven into the ground, but the Thunder gladly took advantage of it and snatched up one of the NBA’s best players.

They might change their tune by next summer, though, when both George and Russell Westbrook can become free agents. Westbrook has yet to sign a five-year, $207 million contract extension the Thunder have put on the table, and with a star-studded 2018 free agency class on the way, things could get very interesting around the league.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne is already adding fuel to the free agency fire, nothing that should Westbrook and George enjoy playing together, they could do so back in their home of Los Angeles together.

“There's a gigantic elephant in the room, which is that Paul George is from LA, Russell Westbrook's from LA, they're going to be playing together. If they want to stay together they can just come to the Lakers, they can just come to the Clippers...

“The what ifs, the dominoes that start falling if he does not sign that contract extension by the start of the regular season. Media day comes up next week... that is going to be the question. If it's not the first question, the reporters out there aren't doing their job,” Shelburne said while on-air.

The NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, at 28 years of age going on 29 in November, will have a huge decision in front of him if he does test free agency. It will be the first time he considers his options outside of Oklahoma City.

If you want to really spice things up, toss in this rumor that LeBron James “would love” to team up with Westbrook, and we’ve got ourselves one heckuva’ summer on the way. Russell signing on the $200 million line would obviously change that scenario, but until he signs his name, anything remains possible.

Anything, including the Thunder having to face the harsh reality of tabling trade propositions for Westbrook, according to Shelburne.

“If he hasn't signed that extension by media day next week, this now becomes the topic of conversation in the entire league because we've already seen three major stars get traded. Jimmy Butler, Kyrie... you've seen everybody get traded this summer.

“I don't even know where to begin a conversation about teams that would call about Russell Westbrook, or even if the Thunder would entertain it,” Shelburne said.

These are all sound logical leaps to make, and Shelburne obviously has her own information and sourcing to take into consideration as she discusses the Westbrook situation. A summer where Westbrook, LeBron and George are all free agents will absolutely be a spectacle to observe.

Luckily for Lakers fans, the franchise has been positioning itself to be in the center of it all. Master plan, engaged.

Editor’s Note: I’ve been on this beat since Day 1, friends: