In following up on a report that the Boston Celtics could do an extend-and-trade agreement with Paul George and the Indiana Pacers if they manage to sign Gordon Hayward in free agency, Albert Nahmad explained why the scenario makes financial sense.
Under that scenario, George would increase his 17-18 salary from $19.5 million to the $29.7 million maximum and then extend for two additional years, which would mean $94 million over three years.
If George were to wait for six months after the trade, he could extend for four years at $169 million. But Boston would be required to keep the cap space necessary to increase George's salary to the max, which is $10.2 million.
On the renegotiation and extension deal, George would add $74 million over just two seasons and he would be instantly eligible for a 10-year veteran max at 35 percent in the 2020 offseason when he will have turned 30 that May.
While George has preferred to join the Los Angeles Lakers, he can compete for a title with the Celtics while having a financial incentive in both the short-term and long-term. If the Lakers don't trade for George, they can only offer him a four-year deal in 2018 with five percent raises.
Albert Nahmad/HeatHoops.com
