The LA Clippers will sign Kawhi Leonard to a max free agent contract and trade for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to reports that broke overnight Saturday.
Leonard chose the Clippers over the Lakers and Raptors, the latter being the team he won the 2019 NBA title with after the Spurs traded him there a year ago.
Leonard’s contract will be for four years and $142 million.
ESPN reported that the Clippers are sending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four future unprotected first-round picks and a 2023 protected first-round pick to Oklahoma City to land George.
After Leonard pushed George to find a way to get to the Clippers, Paul George approached the team and requested a trade, league sources tell ESPN. OKC was left with no choice and made the best out of a difficult situation, per sources.
— 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
A star player in his prime, George averaged career highs with 28 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game last year for the Thunder. But in his two years in town, he and Russell Westbrook could not get Oklahoma City past the first round of the playoffs.
Had Leonard gone to the Lakers, he would have helped create the most intimidating “big three” the NBA has seen yet. Instead, both Los Angeles teams have locked up a pair of superstars: LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers, and Leonard and George with the Clippers.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.