Paul George heard some cheers when he was introduced as a visiting member of the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in Boston and was asked afterward about how the fans received him and his future with the Pacers.

“Yeah, I guess they were in on the rumors,” George said of how fans received him at TD Garden.

In the days leading up to February’s trade deadline the Celtics were reportedly one of a few teams to engage in talks with the Pacers on George.

“I didn't put no energy into it. It was out of my control,” George said of rumors that he might have been traded to the Celtics. "If I was here, I was here. If I remained a Pacer, I was a Pacer. I wasn’t going to put any unnecessary energy where I had no control over.”

George, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season, was then asked if he wanted to remain with the Pacers.

“Yeah,” he replied. "If we have a great team, why not?”

George added that if Indiana didn’t have an improved roster, “then me and front office will talk.”

The Indiana Pacers discussed a Paul George trade with at least the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets at the trade deadline.

The Pacers never appeared serious about actually trading George. According to sources, George has interest in playing with Gordon Hayward, who is from Indiana.

George wants to play for a contender and can be a free agent in 2018.

George has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as the place he would like to play if he leaves Indiana.

Larry Bird claims the Indiana Pacers weren't interested in trading Paul George at the deadline.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were amongst the teams who called Bird. Magic Johnson's call to Bird lasted less than five minutes and consisted mostly of small talk.

“I wasn’t motivated to move Paul George at the deadline,” Bird said. “I can’t remember if it was even brought up or not. I don’t think it was. It’s all fake news anyway. You know that. Somebody’s gonna start it and [it] just was a snowball effect. [The phone call] was not about Paul George.”

George can become a free agent in 2018 and reportedly will consider signing with the Lakers.

Abdel Nader is one of the top prospects of the D-League, averaging 22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Maine Red Claws.

Nader hopes to receive a legitimate shot at making the Boston Celtics' roster for the 17-18 season. Nader sought that chance this season but agreed to a deal where he would remain in the D-League with the Red Claws. Nader was the 58th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Iowa State.

“It’s just a testament to all the hard work I put in in the offseason,” Nader said. “On a daily basis you’ve got to keep proving people wrong. I’ve got to keep developing, keep getting better. Everybody [in the D-League] is bigger and stronger than college. You’re going against men, you know? Everybody is a pro. There’s a lot more spacing [than in college], so you have a lot more freedom to handle the ball and get into the paint.”

Forwards James Young, Gerald Green, and Jonas Jerebko will be free agents this summer, opening the door for Nader to make a bid at a roster spot.

“I think I put myself in a position [to make the roster],” he said. “I think I have a great chance. I have proven myself and I’m going to continue to do so. It’s my time, that’s how I feel right now.”

Nader will likely get an invitation to training camp, along with 2016 first-round picks Guerschon Yabusele and Ante Zizic, who are flourishing overseas.

“They’re very hands-on with me and my development in Maine,” Nader said of Celtics management. “They send front-office guys all the time. Danny [Ainge] comes and watches games in Maine. It’s great knowing those guys have my back, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity given to me.”