This summer, we witnessed one of the most exciting off-seasons in NBA history. Numerous star players changed teams, including Anthony Davis to the Lakers, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to the Nets, Russell Westbrook to the Rockets, and so on. However, one of the most surprising was Paul George’s arrival with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Doc Rivers says Paul George trade to Clippers was on again/off again several times until it happened https://t.co/AquataOQu1
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) September 7, 2019
The unexpected move was a big request from Leonard as he wanted George to join him in Los Angeles. The Clippers granted Kawhi’s wish by getting PG13 to the Staples Center. Still, the move didn’t go smoothly, and according to the Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, it was on and off several times before actually happened.
“We knew we were close. I can tell you on the day that it all went down, at 10 that morning, we thought the deal was over, that it wasn’t going to happen,” Rivers said. “Because Oklahoma and us, we just couldn’t get a deal done. At two, we thought it was back on. At five, Lawrence [Frank, Clippers president] said ‘Hey, it’s over. We can all just go to dinner.’ And so I was on my way to dinner, I was literally walking into Nobu in Malibu and I get a text, ‘Grab your phone, it’s back on.’ Within an hour, the deal was done.”
Rivers also said that Leonard’s representatives told the Clippers they needed “to add to the roster” without giving up too much. The Clippers sent Danilo Gallinari, who had the best season of his career last year, young guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and several draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They had to in order to get both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and how that will affect the team in the upcoming season, it remains to be seen.
H/T: NBC Sports, Yahoo Sports
