Report: George informs Pacers he intends to leave in 2018

All-Star Paul George has informed the Indiana Pacers that he plans on leaving the franchise during the 2018 free agency period, according to The Vertical.

While George has yet to request a trade, his agent did deliver the news to Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard. The Pacers' inability to maintain a contending roster has played a part in George’s belief that he has a better chance to win a championship elsewhere.

As expected, George wants to join the Los Angeles Lakers once he becomes a free agent. He can sign a four-year deal worth as much as $130 million with them.

George, who grew up in Southern California, has been linked to the Lakers for quite some time. Pretty much everyone in league circles knew that the day would come where George would finally tell the Pacers about his true intentions.

All the pressure falls on Indiana now. They will surely look to trade George now that they know he plans to leave in 2018. It would be a disaster for the Pacers if they lost George without getting anything of value in return.

George averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season.