Jimmy Kimmel attempts to recruit Paul George to Lakers

Jimmy Kimmel, a Los Angeles Lakers fan, had Indiana Pacers guard Paul George on his show Monday and openly recruited the 2018 free agent to the Lakers.

The late-night host told George that he had Magic Johnson -- Lakers president of basketball operations -- on the show recently and had asked him about getting George to Los Angeles.

Kimmel showed George a clip of Johnson, who said that if the two saw each other, he could talk to George but couldn't talk to him about coming to the Lakers. Still, he said, he would be "wink, winking."

Kimmel asked George if that would affect him.

"No. I love Magic, I love Magic. Great dude," George said, as Kimmel responded, "That's good, because you're going to be working for him."

"I'm going to always get those ties because I'm an L.A. kid," George said. "Actually, in my home, Kobe (Bryant) is the biggest person in the house."

Kimmel asked if George had talked to Bryant about coming to the Lakers. "Not yet," George said, before adding, "I love Indy, though, man. It's really hard."

According to a report from USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick, George has made it clear he would like to play for the Lakers someday. Still, if George is named to an All-NBA team this year, the Pacers will be able to offer him a five-year, $200-million-plus contract because of a clause in the CBA. That would make it difficult for the Lakers or any other team to lure him away.

The Lakers do have the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. What they do with that and how the team improves might ease the blow of making less money, as would playing in Los Angeles.