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Wall says he's trying to get Paul George to Wizards

Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty

The Indiana Pacers are looking to trade Paul George before he fulfills his stated intention of leaving the franchise as a free agent next summer.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets have all, at various points, tried to open talks with the Pacers, but none have developed much traction. Now, John Wall and the Washington Wizards are throwing their hat in the ring.

"I am talking to some guys, Paul. I know his ultimate goal of where he wants to be," Wall told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears on Monday. "I'm trying to see if we can make something happen."

The two teams have discussed a potential trade, but no deal is close at the moment, a source told Spears. It's unclear what Washington would be able to entice Indiana with, as its best trade asset is probably budding combo forward Otto Porter, who's set to become a restricted free agent. If the Wizards re-sign him, they'd be unable to trade him for a year.

Regardless, Wall feels his team has a chance to get into the George sweepstakes, and to do something special if it somehow manages to land him. Wall and backcourt mate Bradley Beal are both coming off career seasons in which they led Washington to its best record (49-33) in 38 years, and eventually to within a game of the Eastern Conference finals.

"Look at our team. We are one piece away," Wall said. "We have the point guard, we have the shooting guard, we have the center, we have the power forward. Our 3-man (Porter) did great for us. You can't take nothing away from what he did. But, (George) is a guy that can guard LeBron (James) and go back at LeBron. It's a piece that you're going to need to win. If you don't have a guy who can do that, you don't have a chance. ...

"You got to add another star. You got to add another piece. You got to have three guys. And that's what it's looking like."

Wall and George were drafted first and 10th overall, respectively, in the 2010 draft, and have been developing their friendship ever since. George has made it plain that his preference is to end up with the Los Angeles Lakers when he does become an unrestricted free agent a year from now, but Wall knows things can always change.

"Indiana has all the rights to do whatever they want," Wall said. "And if he goes where he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to sign next year."

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