Paul George has confirmed that the decision of Russell Westbrook to sign an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder will play "absolutely" play a factor in his own decision next summer.

"We've been on an unbelievable start right now, and for him to be committed here, it says a lot," George said. "Not only in us pairing together, but just knowing what type of dude Russ is and his values and his beliefs and him being committed to this organization says a lot. And I'm one person that's enjoying it here, so I think when that time comes, the decision will be easier to make for myself."

Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million extension with the Thunder.

"From the commitment from the front office all the way down to Russ, the commitment here is off the charts," George said.

George has been widely linked to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I had a feeling he wanted to remain a Thunder," George said. "But again, you let guys deal with their situations, and that's what it was. He had to make his decision."

Russell Westbrook has agreed upon a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook is now signed for six seasons at $233 million through 22-23.

Sam Presti and Westbrook's agent, Thad Foucher, finalized the deal on Friday.

Westbrook is committing his future to the Thunder despite the impending free agency of Paul George.

Carmelo Anthony believed he was on the verge of being traded by the New York Knicks to the Cleveland Cavaliers on draft night. In the trade scenario discussed, the Cavaliers would have also acquired Paul George.

The Indiana Pacers nearly traded George to the Cavaliers in a three-way involving the Denver Nuggets, but the deal fell through. The Pacers ultimately traded George to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Me and PG have a very close friendship," said Anthony. "Actually, it was funny because me and PG was supposed to be in Cleveland on draft night. We were communicating about that. The deal was actually done and it got called off on draft night, so me and PG stayed connected throughout the course of the season."

The New York Knicks asked the Cleveland Cavaliers to include Tristan Thompson in their offer for Carmelo Anthony.

Cleveland never moved from their offer of Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye.

The Knicks ultimately traded Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Cavaliers were able to agree upon terms with Dwyane Wade after he was bought out by the Chicago Bulls.

"Obviously there was a lot of speculation throughout the summer with Melo and possibly him joining us and obviously we see how that panned out," LeBron James said. "We're blessed as a franchise to be able to have a player the caliber of D-Wade join us. It's exciting."

The New York Knicks nearly traded Carmelo Anthony to the Houston Rockets in early July, but they ultimately decided to not take on the contract of Ryan Anderson.

Anthony preferred to be traded to the Rockets, but the Knicks' willingness to do so appeared to change after Scott Perry became general manager.

“Even though Scott and I battled over Houston I have to respect the fact that he inherited an extremely difficult situation and that he had to do what was best for the organization,” agent Leon Rose said. “Ultimately, he did right by Carmelo and made a deal. It all worked out for everybody.”

Anthony expanded his wish list beyond the Rockets once it became clear no deal would be made.

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) continue their annual tradition of breaking down the over/under lines for the Western Conference.

They go through over/unders and other relevant odds for the Suns (1:56), Kings (8:25), Lakers (13:12), Mavericks (20:45), Grizzlies (30:49), Pelicans (34:59), Jazz (44:12), Trail Blazers (51:10), Clippers (55:19), Nuggets (1:02:12), Timberwolves (1:06:27), Thunder (1:15:28), Spurs (1:18:39), Rockets (1:26:09), Warriors (1:31:30) and their best bets in both conferences.

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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.”

Dwyane Wade has agreed upon a contract buyout with the Chicago Bulls.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat are considered the leaders for Wade once he clears waivers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could also express interest in Wade.

Wade gave up $8 million of his $23.8 million salary to leave the Bulls.

Russell Westbrook and Paul George played significant roles in convincing Carmelo Anthony to waive his no-trade clause to join the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Both Westbrook and George are currently slated to become free agents in 2018.

Anthony has a player option for 2018 that he's expected to exercise.

The New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder are engaged in serious trade talks involving Carmelo Anthony.

The Thunder would send Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and the Chicago Bulls' 2018 second round pick to the Knicks for Anthony.

Anthony will likely waive his no-trade clause with a trade call coming on Monday. Anthony will waive his $8.1 million trade kicker to make the trade work.

Anthony is signed for two more seasons at a total amount of $54 million.