Report: Pacers likely to stand pat, viewing George's return as late acquisition

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It would be tough for a team to make a bigger deadline acquisition than a 24-year-old two-time All-Star and emerging two-way superstar. 

It's with that in mind that the Indiana Pacers may stand pat ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, viewing a potential mid-March return for Paul George as their major move. Indiana is likely to remain quiet, keeping its roster intact and waiting to reintegrate George in a month, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

The Pacers could have been considered both buyers and sellers, though the organization has been clear that it's aiming for the playoffs, even in a down year. 

David West, among others, could have been an attractive trade chip, helping the Pacers either land a future asset or clear the books some.

Instead, it appears the Pacers will look to make up the two games and jump the four teams in the Eastern Conference standings that separate them from a playoff spot. 

At 21-33, the Pacers are one of six teams fighting for the conference's final two playoff spots, and with no team standing as a clear favorite, even a dozen games with George could be enough of an upgrade to push Indiana to where it needs to be.

Relying on a return to form for George isn't necessarily the safest approach, but it sounds as if a mid-March debut is realistic. Were he to return on, say, March 20, the Pacers would have him for their final 15 games. 

Even if George performs below his near-MVP level from a season ago, when he averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists, he'd represent an appreciable wing upgrade over the final stretch.