As expected the Indiana Pacers announced on Monday that exercised the team option to bring back Paul George for the final year of his rookie contract which will pay the Pacers' rising star around $3.82 million.

PG's play this season will determine how difficult it will be to sign him after next season when he will be eligible to become a restricted free agent. Well, it won't be difficult but could be costly if all goes according to plan for George and the Pacers.

The Pacers also released training camp invites, Luke Nevil, Sundiata Gaines and Blake Ahearn to trim their roster to 15 players. Congratulations are officially in order for Ben Hansbrough who leap-frogged Gaines and Ahearn in the backcourt depth chart with his play in camp. The team can carry 15 players during the regular season but that doesn't mean Hansbrough is a safe bet to stay on the roster. Since Ben Hans and Sam Young remain on non-guaranteed contracts the Pacers may let one go before the start of the season to keep an open roster spot available.

Regardless, this is a nice preseason milestone as the Pacers gear up for their season opener in Toronto which is now just 10 days away.