ON THE NIGHT the LA Clippers landed Kawhi Leonard as a free agent and traded for Paul George last July, Doc Rivers talked with the team's president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, dozens of times.
First there was a debate over just how much the Clippers should give up in the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for George. Would Leonard really sign with the rival Lakers if the Clippers failed to acquire George as his co-star? Could they afford to find out?
The conversation had been ongoing for days, but by the night of July 5, it was time to decide.