While Paul George has been strongly linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, he is content as he begins his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

“Honestly, I'm happy,” he said. “The only thing I wanted out of Indiana was a chance to win my whole career there...That's really what I want out of this, out of the league. I'm not looking for money. I'm not looking for stats. I want to win, and (to) be able to win at a high level.

“It’s Year One, and (the Thunder have) proven - and I haven't even gone through a season yet - and they've already proven everything on my checklist (that) I can check off. That's what feels good. That's what makes me feel like, 'Hey, this can be a landing spot for me, and somewhere I can call home for years.'”

George will be a free agent in 2018.

“I'm not going into this situation thinking, you know, Year One, or this year, playing with Russ and now playing with Melo, we're going to win the championship,” George said. “I'm thinking we have a chance to win a championship. I know it's not going to be easy, and I'm not speaking on it being an easy road to a championship. We're going to have to fight for it, but I like the guys I'm going to battle with. I like, you know, how this is setting up. So again, it goes back to ultimately just having a chance to do it. That's what I'm most happy about in this situation.”

George was asked if winning is rated above the Lakers on his list of priorities.

“Winning takes precedence over all of it. That's the ultimate happiness. It's not location. It's not stardom. It's not 'where can I make the most money.' It's winning, and winning championships.

“That's ultimately what, as a kid, I looked at as the best fit and the biggest thing. I haven't won on any level, besides the (2016) Olympics (in Rio). I haven't won a championship in high school. I haven't won a championship in college (at Fresno State). I don't know what that feels like.”