The Thunder pulled off the biggest trade of the NBA offseason, but the work is far from done.

When four-time All-Star Paul George is introduced in Oklahoma City this week, his arrival will come with adulation, celebration and anticipation of his future even before he puts on the Thunder uniform. In June, George's agent, Aaron Mintz, was upfront with Indiana about his client's intention to leave the Pacers to become a free agent in 2018. George, a native of Palmdale, Calif., prefers to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

Oklahoma City is not Los Angeles. But it's also not the summer of 2018 yet. The acquisition of George will invigorate the Thunder's lineup and chances at advancing in the postseason.

Between now and July 1, 2018, the Thunder will try to figure out how to keep George in Thunder blue. To do that, it'll have to understand what George wants, where he's been and where he wants to go.