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After Paul George and others with the Pacers openly talked about PG's pending contract extension as a done deal in this Indy Star story over the weekend, Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears from Yahoo! Sports closed the weekend by reporting the max deal of up to $90 million is about done and it appears Paul George thinks he's locked and loaded for another five years.
Of course, Larry Bird prefers to announce things on his own timetable and has no problem dismissing news reports (just ask Mike Wells). So on Monday Bird made an appearance at the team's annual Pacers Foundation golf outing but didn't play, instead saying the final numbers for PG's deal is not set so he had to get back to work at the Fieldhouse, as Scott Agness reports.
When asked whether the reported terms were accurate, Bird said, "I never heard that number. I wish it was my number instead of [Paul's].
Although a new deal isn't complete just yet and George hasn't signed on the dotted line, everything is expected to be resolved this week.
"I know Paul's worth," said Bird. "I'm not banking on what's going to happen in the future, even though you do somewhat. It's what he's accomplished now and that what we'll go off of.
"It's always good to have the leverage but the number has got to be a number we both like. And that's what it's all about. It's all about money. Yes, he wants to be here. He's told me that a million times. We want him here so let's just find a number that works for both."
So depending on a few variables we don't know if PG will be paid around $100 million, $90 million or $80 million for the length of his five-year deal. What we do know is that Paul George is about to get paid as the Pacers designated max player, with potential for a "Rose Extension" as Jason Patt explains in simple terms.
Normally for rookie scale maximum extensions, the first year of the new deal is based on 25 percent of the salary cap. But under the Rose rule, the first year can be up to 30 percent of the cap if at least one of the following benchmarks is reached:
- Named to the All-NBA First, Second or Third team at least twice
- Voted as a starter in the All-Star Game at least twice
- Named the NBA Most Valuable Player at least once
For more details on all of the economics surrounding PG's pending deal, check out Tim Donahue's breakdown which also explains how the Pacers may be able to re-sign Lance Stephenson next summer.
Check out the rest of the links with reaction to the reported deal.
Report: PG Close to Signing? | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Paul George finalizing $90 million-plus deal with Pacers - Yahoo Sports
How Paul George's max contract could be worth over $90 million - SBNation.com
Pacers forward Paul George has found a home in Indiana | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
With George deal imminent, Pacers core intact - 1070 The Fan
Paul George reportedly agrees to 5-year, $90M max contract with Pacers - SBNation.com
USA TODAY tabs Indiana Pacers No. 15 in NBA Watchability Rankings | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
Indiana signing Paul George to max deal is a no-brainer | ProBasketballTalk
Granger: We Really Are Title Contenders Now | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Tweet of the Night: Roy Hibbert
Goodyear tells Roy Hibbert "flip this" (tire) | ProBasketballTalk
Garbage Time Gunners: Who shot in blowouts last season? - CBSSports.com
Creativity Wins Out at G2 Zone Part III Tryouts | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Paul George and Free Agency Problems - Mavs Moneyball
Pacers forward Paul George has found a home in Indiana | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
Rose building confidence as return nears | CSN Chicago
Former MVP Derrick Rose ready to lead Chicago AP Bulls again - NBA News | FOX Sports on MSN
More from Indy Cornrows:
- Pacers go all in on defense
- Yahoo! Sports: Paul George finalizing five year, $90 million-plus deal with Pacers
- Pacers Links: Five Pacers among SI's Top 100 players; ranking the East with Phil Naessens
- Report: Paul George, Pacers on 'same page' for long-term deal; Indy Star adds new beat writer
- Bulls' coach Thibodeau already working officials to handle Pacers, Hibbert