Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird made it clear that he doesn't intend to let three-time All-Star and new Olympic gold medalist Paul George get away anytime soon.
The 26-year-old George already has a max deal that runs through 2018-19. Whenever George is ready to sign an extension, Bird promised to make it happen.
"We want Paul here and we know what it's going to cost and what it's going to take," Bird said. "If Paul wants to get a deal done, we will. It's a max deal. There's no others, so there's no use talking about it. If he wants it, he's got it."
According to IndyStar.com, George had conversations with Bird and the front office about his renegotiation options before heading to the Summer Olympics in August. George said then that the conversations were a good sign, but that a new deal was not close to being reached.
"We do whatever he wants to do," Bird said. "He's proven that he's a max player. He's our best player. If he wants a new contract, whenever he wants it, we'll give it to him."
In late July, George said he appreciated Bird's efforts to bring in free-agent players to improve the Pacers.
"I'm glad he's not letting me waste years," he said then of Bird. "I think Larry and (the rest of the front office) have expressed how bad they want to get back to (the Eastern Conference finals) by these moves this offseason. I'm looking forward to getting us back there. He's putting talent around me to help me get to what we all want to get accomplish, and that's a championship."
Last season, George led the Pacers back to the playoffs by having the best year of his career. He averaged 23.1 points, seven rebounds and 4.1 assists in 81 games.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
