Paul George happily stays in Oklahoma City, says he 'loved situation'

For Paul George, home is where the heart is. 

After just one year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, George doesn't seem himself leaving anytime soon. 

"It was an awesome gamble. They went all-in and went blackjack," George said, via ESPN, after Team USA minicamp practice Thursday. 

George continued by adding that he loved the situation — and who could blame him after getting a day in his honor after re-signing with the Thunder for four years and $137 million. In fact, George wanted to remain in OKC so bad, he looked past joining the star-studded Lakers during free agency, even if the Los Angeles organization was "tempting."

"Honestly, I wanted to come back home," George added. "But again, I got traded to Oklahoma. Loved the situation. Loved where I was at. I decided to stick around a little longer. ... I just wanted my free agency to be over with. In my heart, I felt great about Oklahoma and I wasn't going to prolong it if I felt good about it already."

The Thunder ended last season with the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, 48-34, but were ousted in the first round of the Western Conference Finals after a six-game showdown with Utah. 

George finished his first season with OKC averaging 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a 40.1 3-point shooting percentage. But for George, his finish and the Thunder's short-lived postseason was one of the motivating factors for his return.

"I felt when it came down to it and all the factors that played into it, deep down there was a nasty taste where we finished," George said. "I just felt I had more to offer. I had more to give. I just felt about where we were as a whole.

"I honestly went through the process and doing pros and cons throughout the whole [season]. I wouldn't say the whole [season] was a recruiting process. I was just trying to find the highs and lows and the good and bad. Ultimately, I just felt this was the road for me to win."

Next year will bring a change in the lineup for the Thunder after the team traded Carmelo Anthony to the Hawks in exchange for guard Dennis Schroder in a three-team deal that also involved the 76ers.