The Indiana Pacers will do everything they can to keep Paul George in the long-term.

The Pacers plan on having approximately $20 million in cap space and will also look to use their own first round pick to acquire a player that will help them immediately.

"I have a budget," Larry Bird said. "Whatever that budget is, I'll spend it. Sometimes, we can't go after max guys, or players we really think could help us, because of our budget."

George wants to play for a contender and the Pacers appear to be stuck somewhere between that strata and the lottery.

"Paul wants to compete for a title," Bird said. "We want Paul here. He has expressed that he wants to be here. That could change overnight. You never know. But whatever I can spend, I'm going to spend."

The Pacers don't have the luxury of being able to afford a full rebuild.

"We can't do that around here," Bird said.