While the future of Paul George wasn't decided at the deadline, his preference of options became somewhat clear.

George will strongly consider signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 if the Indiana Pacers aren't in contention for a title.

"Here's the issue with Paul George: he's made it clear that if he's going to leave Indiana, he's going home to L.A.," said Wojnarowski. "He grew up in southern California. Big Kobe Bryant fan. His dad is a big Magic Johnson fan. Obviously Magic is running the organization now.

"The direction that I was told that the Lakers got in the last couple of days was 'hey, don't gut your team to go get Paul George.'

"Magic Johnson did lob a call to Larry Bird, but if you're the Lakers and you don't have a tremendous amount of assets, they have some young players they hope will develop. They're going to sit back and wait to sign him as a free agent. They're going to have cap space in 2018.

"If they were to try to trade for him, they would have to give up the core of their team and Paul George is going to have no one to play with there.

"I think this is how the Pacers are looking at this. All things being equal, they know that Paul George would rather be in L.A., but they are not equal."

If George doesn't qualify for the supermax contract, the Pacers can sign him to a five-year, $180 million deal while a rival team can sign him to a four-year, $132 million deal.

The Nuggets were essentially warned that George will sign with the Lakers in 2018 if they trade for him.

The Indiana Pacers took trade talks with Paul George down to the wire ahead of the deadline but elected to keep him. The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets were engaged with the Pacers on talks for George.

George addressed the media shortly after the deadline passed and expressed his frustrations that he wasn't better briefed by the Pacers on the talks.

"I kind of was on the ropes just like you guys on what was about to happen. It was kind of a dark moment of uncertainty. That was the frustrating part. You want me to be your guy here, I thought I'd be in the loop a little more than that."

According to various reports, George would like to re-sign with the Pacers if they can compete for a title, or sign outright with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

After the team’s practice Wednesday, George said he was focused on leading the Pacers after an inconsistent season through 57 games.

“I’m committed here,” George said then. “Myself and the front office, we’ve had great talks. I’ve got a job to do and I’m trying to turn a season around, trying to get us playing better. That’s where my mind is. It’s easy to block out everything else. I can’t allow that to weigh on me. This is what’s important right now.”

The Denver Nuggets made an aggressive offer to the Indiana Pacers at the deadline for Paul George.

The Nuggets recruited a third team in the talks but were hesitant to part with Jamal Murray for George. Murray has been one of the most promising rookies of the 2016 draft class.

Denver was also reportedly informed that George is most interested in either re-signing with the Pacers or joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

The Nuggets made Nikola Jokic completely untouchable.

Denver was similarly aggressive in landing a star during the 2016 offseason.

The Atlanta Hawks pursued trades for both Jimmy Butler and Paul George at the deadline.

Atlanta made aggressive offers built around a package of draft picks with more than three first rounders discussed. The Hawks own all of their own first round picks as well as future firsts from the Wolves and Cavs.

The Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls decided to keep Butler and George respectively.

The Hawks have been stuck between rebuilding and continuing to contend as they decided to keep Paul Millsap at the deadline.

The Indiana Pacers have decided not to trade Paul George at the deadline.

The Pacers received offers from the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and others.

The Denver Nuggets conveyed a "monster" offer to the Indiana Pacers for Paul George but the talks gained no traction.

The Nuggets were told that it would be highly unlikely for George to commit there long-term.

George prefers to either remain with the Pacers or sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. 

Sam Amick of the USA Today reports that the message being sent around the NBA is George is "hell-bent" on going to the Lakers in 2018 unless the Pacers are competing for a title.

Zach Lowe of ESPN reported that the Nuggets brought in a third team in their offer for George but were hesitant to part with Jamal Murray in the deal.

The Boston Celtics have finally allowed their pick from the Brooklyn Nets to be included in the conversation with the Indiana Pacers on Paul George.

The Celtics own swap rights for the Nets' first round pick in 2017 and their first rounder outright in 2018.

Boston has been searching for a superstar to add to their roster, yet has been reluctant to include any of Brooklyn's picks in talks.

The Celtics have also been interested in Jimmy Butler.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Pacers have been engaged with other teams to potentially clear roster spots that could be related to their talks with Boston on Paul George.

Paul George has been clear his preference is to remain with the Indiana Pacers if they can become title contenders but signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 is his Plan B.

George's priorities with his immediate future have made other teams hesitant to trade for him. George won't commit long-term to teams beyond the Pacers and Lakers.

George recently met with Pacers' owner Herb Simon for a cordial conversation about his future.

The Pacers are pursuing two paths as they look to improve their roster around George while also listening to trade offers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of several teams to inquire to the Indiana Pacers about the availability of Paul George.

The conversation didn't advance beyond the initial expression of interest, but it was notable due to the fact Magic Johnson and Larry Bird spoke to each other on the call.

Johnson was named President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers on Tuesday.

Johnson also addressed the Lakers' players and coaches when they reported for practice Wednesday afternoon.

"Magic came down and talked to the team," Luke Walton said. "He wanted to come down and, first of all, say hi to everyone and let them know that he's here to support and be there for them. It was a quick meeting, but it's good to get in front of each other.

"It was a strange day because I am very close with Jimmy and Mitch and I really enjoyed working with them," Walton continued. "I had great talks with both of them on the telephone afterwards. They were both very supportive. Both gave the message of continue to work, keep working with the young guys. It was definitely a little sad. I think it's important to remember all the great things they did when they were here, too.

"Then, on the other hand, you have Earvin coming in and he's in there and he's making phone calls. It was great to work with him. It was a unique, interesting day in terms of the emotions going on. But the main thing everyone talked about was 'We have a job to do still.'"

Paul George recently met with Indiana Pacers' owner Herb Simon to talk about his future with the franchise. George expressed his desire to remain with the Pacers if they can contend for a title.

George can become a free agent in 2018 and is not presently expected to qualify for the supermax contract extension. Without the supermax provision, the Pacers don't have as big of an advantage in what they can offer George contractually. 

George has long been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as he is from the area.

While Larry Bird is searching for trade scenarios to upgrade the Pacers, they are also considering whether or not they are capable of fulfilling George's goal.