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George happy with Thunder: OKC can be my 'home for years'

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Paul George is feeling good about his new team.

The All-Star swingman was traded from the Indiana Pacers this offseason to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a move he initially described as "surprising."

Nearly three months have passed, and with the shock factor long gone - and following the Thunder's acquisition of Carmelo Anthony - George is excited for his first real chance at winning an NBA championship.

"Honestly, I'm happy," he told USA Today's Sam Amick. "The only thing I wanted out of Indiana was a chance to win my whole career there ... That's really what I want out of this, out of the league. I'm not looking for money. I'm not looking for stats. I want to win, and (to) be able to win at a high level."

Oklahoma City has been one of the most active clubs this offseason, adding several new faces to the roster along with two stars in George and Anthony.

None of that has gone unnoticed by George, who will opt out of his contract following the upcoming season to become a free agent. Though his hometown Los Angeles Lakers are believed to be the favorites to sign him, the 27-year-old has said his interest in donning purple and gold is "overstated" and noted he could stick around in OKC.

He stood by that Monday, saying his current organization continues to impress him.

"It's Year 1, and (the Thunder have) proven - and I haven't even gone through a season yet - and they've already proven everything on my checklist (that) I can check off," George said. "That's what feels good. That's what makes me feel like, 'Hey, this can be a landing spot for me, and somewhere I can call home for years.'"

Winning is paramount to PG-13, who captured Olympic gold last summer in Rio alongside Anthony. Now, the two are joining forces on a team that most recently finished sixth in the Western Conference thanks in no small part to an MVP season from Russell Westbrook.

Related: Thunder's new Big 3 pose together for 1st time

George has already said the Thunder "feels like a championship team," but he knows it won't be a cakewalk.

"I'm not going into this situation thinking, you know, Year 1, or this year, playing with Russ and now playing with Melo, we're going to win the championship," he said.

"I'm thinking we have a chance to win a championship. I know it's not going to be easy, and I'm not speaking on it being an easy road to a championship. We're going to have to fight for it, but I like the guys I'm going to battle with. I like, you know, how this is setting up. So again, it goes back to ultimately just having a chance to do it. That's what I'm most happy about in this situation."

The 2013 Most Improved Player averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals last season in Indy. He's owed $19.5 million this campaign and has a player option for 2018-19 worth $20.7 million.

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