Alongside the likes of Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love, Paul George has been one of the most talked about players in the trade rumor mill this summer.

The Indiana Pacers' star returned to his best over the course of the 2015/16 season, as he bounced back from an injury-plagued campaign the year before to cement himself as one of the league's best forwards once again.

PG13 averaged a career-high 23.1 points per game across 81 regular season appearances, whilst also adding seven rebounds to his game as well. The small forward also grabbed career-high returns in assists and steals too, with 4.1 and 1.9 per game respectively.

Despite this, the Pacers finished seventh in the Eastern Conference, before going onto to lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Toronto Raptors.

The 26-year-old averaged 27.3 points across the seven-game series, leading his side in scoring in every match in the process.

Why would he want to leave?

Paul George may have to leave Indiana in order to be truly considered one of the league's best forwards. | USA TODAY Sports

Whilst wanting to leave is not always enough to get you a move in basketball, there are many reasons why the three-time NBA All-Star may wish to move on from the Pacers.

Indiana's president Larry Bird opted not to renew the contract of head coach Frank Vogel over the summer, with the former Boston Celtics legend citing a need for a 'new voice' in the dressing room.

The side's former assistant Nate McMillan will lead the side into the new season, but a new coach does not always guarantee success.

Across McMillan's 11 full season's as a head coach, he has failed to reach the playoffs on six occasions and has also been unsuccessful reaching the second round on all-bar-one occasion.

A failure to see the Pacers improve could make Paul George want out, as the small forward enters the prime of his career.

Taking the likes of Carmelo Anthony and James Harden out of the equation, it's rare to see superstar talent in the NBA play for a consistently mid-conference side, and sooner or later George will be worried about the Pacers' potential to get him a coveted championship ring.

Would the Pacers trade him?

The arrival of Jeff Teague was one of Indiana's first pieces of business this summer | Source: Matt Slocum - AP Photo

The Pacers have been relatively busy this summer, with their main additions being the form of Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young from the Atlanta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets respectively.

However, the side still lacks a core of players who can really push on, with their roster instead littered with experience in the likes of Al Jefferson and Monta Ellis.

With no notable draft picks this summer, and their only real young talent being 2016 All-Rookie second team center Myles Turner, the Pacers could be forced to trade away their star asset for some valuable youth.

With George's stock only the up, Indiana could pick up some serious young firepower in today's market should they chose to shop the 26-year-old, although it would take a serious offer to make Larry Bird consider it.

Potential destinations

Paul George (right) driving forward against Kobe Bryant (left) in February 2016 | Source: Matt Kryger - Indy Star

Over the course of the summer months, the Los Angeles Lakers have been consistent linked with PG13, rumors of which have re-surfaced in recent days.

It's reported that the 16-time champions would be willing to offer D'Angelo Russell and/or the newly drafted Brandon Ingram has part of the deal, as they look for an impact player following a disappointing season.

The Lakers' roster is filled with young talent, yet even with the arrivals of Luol Deng and Timothy Mozgov, lack an obvious leader.

At the other end of the Western Conference are the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have also been credited with an interest recently too.

OKC are desperate for a new superstar small forward to partner Russell Westbrook, following the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors in July.

Following their recent acquisition of Joffrey Lauvergne, the Thunder are in a position to offer big man Enes Kanter as part of a trade, whilst Andre Robertson could also be part of a deal.

It's difficult to imagine that the Pacers have as much of a chance to challenge over the next few years as the Lakers and Oklahoma City, who both have maturing young rosters. It, therefore, seems more sensible for George to seek a move elsewhere unless the Pacers can trade in youth some other way.

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About the author
Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes is a third-year Sports Journalism at Southampton Solent University who is the co-editor of VAVEL USAs NBA section. He also contributes to Fansideds Thunderous Intentions.