Report: Magic Johnson, Lakers plan to call Pacers about Paul George

Some of us weren’t even on this planet when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird created one of the best college basketball and NBA rivalries in the history of the sport.

Now, nearly 40 years after they matched up for the first time, the two could be engaging in another battle. This time, it will reportedly come in the form of trade discussions surrounding Indiana Pacers forward Paul George.

A recent report suggests that Indiana is looking into the possibility of dealing George prior to Thursday’s trade deadline. That same report indicates that George himself might decide to join the Los Angeles Lakers once he hits free agency in 2018.

Now in charge of the Lakers’ personnel department following Tuesday’s major shake up in the team’s front office, Magic is the individual Pacers president Larry Bird would talk to regarding a potential trade.

Now comes this report from Fox Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico indicating that Magic is expected to pick up the phone and engage in trade talks with Bird surrounding George.

See. It all comes full circle.

Prior to their whole front office shake up, the Lakers were in on trade talks with the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins. Unfortunately for fans in Southern California, the team’s old brass wasn’t willing to part with rookie top-five pick Brandon Ingram. That led to Sacramento dealing Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Any potential trade involving George would likely have to include Ingram. Whether this is a non-starter for Magic is not yet known. But it is an interesting backstory leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline.

Magic has already made his impact known, trading super-sub Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets mere hours after he took on the task of rebuilding the Lakers. It wouldn’t be surprise if he continues to make waves prior to the deadline. Whether that includes bringing George in remains to be seen.