OKLAHOMA CITY — In perhaps the most shocking move this offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded All-Star Paul George to the LA Clippers. This was first reported around 1 a.m. Oklahoma time by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Oklahoma City is trading All-Star Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for a record-setting collection of draft choices, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
OKC is receiving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick, and two pick swaps. For reference, that haul is bigger than what New Orleans received from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade.
Sources: Oklahoma City is getting a massive package of future picks, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Galllinari, to deliver Kawhi Leonard who he wanted to partner with: Paul George. https://t.co/4bGpMNat8K
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
The trade comes just five days and a year after George re-signed with the Thunder following his initial year with the team in 2017. George was traded from Indiana in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
Much was made about the Thunder’s ability to persuade George to stay in OKC in 2017. A lot was attributed to his relationship with co-star Russell Westbrook. That now is in question.
According to reports by Shams Charania of The Athletic, George and Westbrook’s relationship was viewed by opposing front offices as one of “growing discontent.
Rival NBA teams have been aware of the discontent of OKC's two stars: Paul George — and Russell Westbrook, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Leonard pushed the Clippers in recent days to deliver him a second star, and they did.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2019
Kawhi Leonard — who Wojnarowski reported prior to the George trade was signing with the Clippers — had been recruiting George to join him over the last few days. George was apparently excited of the potential pairing in LA.
Sources: Leonard and George met in LA earlier in week. Clippers had long been frontrunners for Leonard, but it is unlikely he would've made final leap to sign without PG trade. Clippers imagined Leonard as part of a Lakers Big 3 — and knew they had no choice. They did OKC deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
In the end, Kawhi Leonard didn't want to construct a Super Team with the Lakers. He wanted a co-star across the Staples corridor with the Clippers, and made it clear to Steve Ballmer and Lawrence Frank: Get PG, and I'm coming.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
According to reports by Wojnawoski and Brett Dawson of The Athletic, Sam Presti and the Thunder were caught off guard by George’s desire for a trade and acted quickly to acquire as many assets as possible.
Per a league source, the Thunder were caught off guard by Paul George’s desire to play with Kawhi Leonard after a strong recruiting effort from Leonard. The whole situation unfolded in recent days.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) July 6, 2019
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Brady Trantham has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder for The Franchise since April 2018 and for Thunder Digest since 2016. He hosts a Thunder podcast with Madysson Morris “OKC-82 Podcast” which can be found on all podcast outlets, and is a featured co-host on the Franchise Thunder Insider’s Show on Saturdays from 10-12, in addition to weekly guest spots on “The Franchise Drive” on Tuesdays and “The Franchise Morning Show” on Wednesdays. Follow him on Twitter @BradyDoesSports
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