Pacers Star-Turned-Veteran Reflects on a Missed Opportunity
The 2024-25 Indiana Pacers are riding high as the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed, boasting a revitalized roster led by All-NBA power forward Pascal Siakam and a resurgent Tyrese Haliburton. But as the team builds toward a brighter future, a fascinating piece of its past has emerged: Paul George, a nine-time All-Star and former Pacers cornerstone, recently revealed on his podcast how close he came to joining the Detroit Pistons before his 2017 trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A Forgotten Proposal: George to the Pistons?
Speaking with Philadelphia 76ers teammate Andre Drummond on Podcast P with Paul George, the now-34-year-old forward shared how Drummond and Reggie Jackson recruited him to Detroit during their tenure with the Pistons. The recruitment pitch, which took place between 2015 and 2017, nearly swayed George.
“Didn’t I DM you one year to come to Detroit?” Drummond asked on the podcast.
“You did, you and Reg,” George replied. “I was actually thinking about it… That might be a solid three stars right there.”
Drummond and Jackson, both in their primes at the time, envisioned teaming up with George to create a formidable trio in the Central Division. Drummond was a dominant presence in the paint, earning two All-Star nods during his Pistons run, while Jackson had stepped into a prominent role after years as a backup with the Thunder.
Why George Said No
Ultimately, George decided against joining the Pistons, citing one reason above all else: the cold.
“The only thing, I was like, ‘Ah, I live in Indiana, I’m trying to get out of this cold. I’m not trying to leave cold to go cold again,’” George joked, referencing his California roots.
While understandable, the decision left Drummond wondering what could have been. “Man, we could’ve did something special,” he said wistfully.
George instead stayed with the Pacers until his blockbuster trade to the Thunder in 2017, a deal that brought Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis—both of whom became All-Stars—to Indiana. The Pistons, meanwhile, made just two playoff appearances during Drummond and Jackson’s tenure together.
A Career of “What Ifs”
For Paul George, the decision not to join Detroit became one of many pivotal moments in a career filled with intrigue and hypotheticals. Now in Philadelphia, George is no longer the All-NBA talent he was during his Indiana and Oklahoma City days. While he remains a decent starter, his $211.6 million max contract is proving to be a burden for a struggling 76ers team that sits at 15-26 after six straight losses.
Still, George’s career path—ranging from his rise in Indiana to his stints with the Thunder, Clippers, and now 76ers—continues to fascinate fans. His revelation about nearly joining Detroit adds another layer to his legacy.
The Pacers’ Present and Future
Meanwhile, the Pacers seem to have moved on from the George era with a sense of purpose. Pascal Siakam is playing like an All-Star, Tyrese Haliburton has stabilized his playmaking, and the team is 14-4 in its last 18 games. With a 24-19 record, Indiana has established itself as a legitimate playoff contender in the East.
While Paul George’s storylines linger in the background, the Pacers are focused on building a future around their new stars—a future that no longer needs to dwell on what might have been.
