In 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers had the chance to trade for Paul George when he requested a trade from the Indiana Pacers.
However, the Lakers talked with the Pacers on several occasions before deciding it was against their best interests to make the deal happen. The major reason for this was they felt they could sign him outright in 2018 NBA free agency.
Eventually, George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder where he spent one season before becoming a free agent. And while most people believed he’d pick the Lakers, he shocked many by staying with the Thunder.