“I’m here to stay. Me and this dude right here, we can bring it home.”

Despite a disastrous Game 6 performance and a first-round playoff exit, Paul George decided to spurn his dreams of playing for his hometown Lakers, instead returning to Oklahoma City on a four-year, $137 million contract.

In the final episode of his free agency special, George cited his relationship with Russell Westbrook and the front office’s commitment to building a winning team. George also expressed his disappointment in the Lakers failing to trade for him when he wanted out of Indiana. George didn’t even take a free agency meeting with LA.

George struggled to adjust early in Oklahoma City. Through the first three months of last season, he scored 20.6 points per game and shot 42 percent from the field after putting up 23.7 points on 46 percent in Indiana the previous season. Despite signs of a return to All-Star caliber play in January and February, George struggled mightily during Oklahoma City’s stretch run. He shot just 38.5 percent from the floor after the All-Star break. His struggles carried into the postseason, culminating in a 2-for-16 dud against the Jazz in Game 6.

The Thunder don’t make the trade for George if Westbrook isn’t committed on a long-term deal. After suffering a crushing blow with Kevin Durant’s departure, Oklahoma City made sure it didn’t lose its second star. Westbrook signed a three-year extension and went on to win league MVP while becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over the entire season. The Thunder locked up Westbrook with a five-year, $205 million extension the following summer. He repeated his triple-double feat in 2017, but faced heavy criticism after his inefficient volume shooting in the postseason led to an early exit.

Westbrook and George should be better in 2018 with a full season together under their belt. With Carmelo Anthony gone, George becomes the clear secondary option offensively and should be able to lead bench units when Westbrook gets a rest. His diverse skillset meshes well with any combination of players. In the Thunder’s 14 five-man lineups that played at least 48 minutes together last season, George was featured in 11 of them. With Steven Adams providing a strong two-way presence down low, the Thunder should have strong triumvirate to lean on in a loaded Western Conference.

When it comes to Oklahoma City’s quest to challenge Golden State, George may be the key. Westbrook and Adams improved their performances against Golden State this season and George may be able to do the same.

In 2016, Westbrook scored 27.3 points on 37.5 percent in four games against the Warriors. Those numbers improved 31.8 and 47.9, respectively, across four games in 2017. Adams became a rebounding machine against Golden State in 2017, averaging 10.5 boards per contest. In three 2016 matchups, he grabbed just 2.7 rebounds per game. More importantly, the Thunder actually won a game against the Warriors last season after going 0-4 against them in 2016. George was dismal against Golden State in 2017, shooting 33.3 percent from the floor. If he can improve on that number with improved chemistry and a more defined role, the Thunder might be able to close the gap further.

Oklahoma’s City commitment to George represents a new direction for the franchise from an operational standpoint. The Thunder previously lost James Harden and Serge Ibaka due to financial reasons, but Oklahoma City is set to pay close to $100 million in luxury taxes for 2018-19. With the Thunder committing essentially all of their cap room to Westbrook, George and Adams for at least three more seasons, the luxury tax penalties won’t be going away. Oklahoma City’s role players like Dennis Schroder, Andre Roberson and Jerami Grant will be pivotal in helping the team reach championship aspirations while being capped out. Getting first-round picks right will be imperative.

George committed the prime of his career to Oklahoma City with a clear goal to “bring it home.” He was the last piece of the Thunder’s long-term “big three” with Westbrook and Adams. With the right mix of role players and GM Sam Presti always searching for a big splash, the Thunder might finally have an answer to their nemesis in the Bay.