Over three years ago, the Clippers decorated headlines with their groundbreaking trade to acquire Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In exchange for the then-MVP finalist Geroge, the Thunder stole away a promising youngster in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, veteran forward Danilo Gallinari, and five first-round picks.
Granted, it wasn’t just George — the lone player headed to L.A. in this trade — that the Clippers landed with this ploy. This was the final push that helped the 213 mine up the crown jewel of the 2019 free agency class: Kawhi Leonard.
With his preferred partner onboard the Clipper ship, captain Leonard had no excuse to sign the deal and start sailing for his hometown team.