The LA Clippers have pulled off the impossible, adding free agent star Kawhi Leonard and trading for MVP finalist Paul George in the same offseason.
After a free agency period filled with stress and what felt like endless waiting, the LA Clippers have pulled off what felt impossible and signed free agent forward Kawhi Leonard — in addition to making a massive trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in order to acquire MVP finalist Paul George.
The news of Leonard’s decision was first reported by Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, who announced the move at 10:53 Friday night. Not long after, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Thunder would be trading George to the Clippers for “a record-setting collection of draft choices”, in addition to point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Danilo Gallinari.
The haul for George includes both Gilgeous-Alexander and Gallinari, including four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick and two pick swaps. There are currently no details available about the years in which those picks will be.
The moves set the Clippers up to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference, if not the entire league. Their biggest rivals should be the Los Angeles Lakers, who have two of the only forwards that should be able to compete with George and Leonard in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Finally, there will be a real rivalry in the city of Los Angeles.
According to a report from Wojnarowski, Leonard had been recruiting George to find a way to get to Los Angeles, and the Clippers were able to strike a deal that benefited both sides.
Assuming Leonard signed for the four-year max with the LA Clippers, both he and George will be with the team through the 2021-2022 season, with Leonard staying an additional year. George has a player option for the 21-22 season, but it’s hard to imagine him opting-out if the Clippers turn out to be as successful as many would expect.
By acquiring the two star forwards, the Clippers could realistically be a title favorite right from the beginning of the regular season. With quality role players like Patrick Beverley, Landry Shamet, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams also on the team, there aren’t any lines left blank — the LA Clippers have hit a home run here, and they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
With Doc Rivers at the helm and an impressive group of executives in the front office, the LA Clippers have perhaps pulled off the greatest achievement in franchise history.