http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18705368/paul-george-noncommittal-signing-contract-extension-indiana-pacersSo as the ESPN report says and as @jpotter33 posted on the forums, Paul George is hesitant on signing an extension with the Pacers, because he wants to play for a "winning team", and the Pacers haven't been that great and are likely to be stuck in mediocrity for years to come.
Unless Bird can somehow bring another star to Indiana and another solid role player between now and the start of next season, Indiana will likely stay a fringe playoff team and NOT be a Top-4 team in the East. There was lots of hope especially when they added Teague, but it hasn't gotten them to Top-3 or Top-4 in the East as they hoped (now they are more a "distant 6th seed" and just 2 games ahead of the 8 seed).
McHale got Ainge and Boston Kevin Garnett, now maybe Larry Bird can help us out
I don't expect a trade to happen at the deadline, but if the Pacers continue to frustrate the rest of the season and in the playoffs (early exit), George may officially want out, and who but the Boston Celtics will come on knocking with their trade talks this summer.
IT says he will no doubt recruit at the deadline,
but he won't say specifically "which players" he will recruit.
After this report came out though, PG13 better be one of his priorities now. For the season, PG13 is averaging 22/6/3 in ~36 MPG, though he hasn't done that well recently although part of that may be the frustration settling in with the Pacers these days.
My trade idea for PG13:
2017 Brooklyn Pick, Avery Bradley, Tyler Zeller, Terry Rozier, 2018 Boston First Rounder and 2019 Grizzlies OR Clippers First Rounder (their choice) for PG13. Sound fair? Anyways, we can use this thread to monitor PG13 for the rest of the season, and for any developments that come up between now and this June.