Despite landing the biggest prize of the 2018 offseason in LeBron James, the Lakers lost out on one of the other top free agents as Paul George agreed to a four-year, $137 million deal to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
George did not take any meetings once free agency began, instead making the announcement he would be staying with the Thunder soon after midnight on July 1.
The Lakers were considered the favorites to land the 28-year-old forward, as the two have been connected since George first requested a trade from the Indiana Pacers prior to the start of the 2017-18 season.
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George averaged 21.9 points on 43.0 percent shooting from the field and 40.1 percent shooting from the three-point line, adding 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His three-point shooting percentage was the highest of his eight-year career.
While the Lakers were long considered the favorites to land the 3-and-D forward, George reportedly told the Thunder of his intentions to stay with the team long before free agency officially began.