Here's Why the Media Will Decide if Paul George Gets an Extra $75 Million
When Paul George suffered a gruesome compound leg fracture in August 2014, the basketball community wasn't sure if he'd ever return to form. Well, after playing in 81 of 82 regular season games last year, the Indiana Pacers forward averaged a career-high 23.6 points per game this season, becoming an All-Star for the fourth time, with his Pacers on the brink of clinching a playoff spot.
And if the media deems him deserving, PG-13 could bank an extra $75 million.
Wait ... what? Yes, writers and broadcasters will determine if the small forward rakes in an additional $75 million.
How? Well, according to The Washington Post, if media members tab George for one of their All-NBA teams later this week, he would be eligible for a $200 million-plus contract extension from the Pacers this summer. That would be about $75 million extra that he would be able to earn with the team.
George's bank account and the future of the Pacers' franchise could thank the league's Designated Player Exception for this. The policy rules that if a player is approaching free agency on his second contract and makes an All-NBA team or is named the MVP or Defensive Player of the Year while playing for the squad that drafted him or traded for him during his rookie contract, then he's eligible to sign a max extension above average for the service time he has accrued.
George, who could opt for free agency in the summer of 2018, qualifies for that, making him eligible for a huge payday.
Still, he's facing an uphill battle, considering making the cut for an All-NBA squad is anything but a sure shot, with several worthy players at his position, including All-Stars LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo to name a few.
PG-13 might want to be extra nice to reporters the next couple of days; the Pacers' regular-season finale against the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night.
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