Course charted
George, Leonard fully on board with Clippers
LAS VEGAS — Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are now officially with the Los Angeles Clippers, moves that bring both of them back to their native Southern California.
It might not be forever: Both of the NBA stars can become free agents now in only two years.
The Clippers completed their blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, acquiring George for forward Danilo Gallinari, guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five first-round draft picks — along with the chance to swap draft positions in two other years.
“Paul George is one of the greatest two-way players in our game. He is both an elite scorer and a relentless defender whose versatility elevates any team,” Clippers president Lawrence Frank said. “When you have the opportunity to acquire a contributor of his caliber, you do what it takes to bring him home.
George can become a free agent again in 2021 if he chooses to exercise that option, and Leonard will be in the same situation as well. A person with knowledge of the situation said the deal Leonard signed Wednesday is a three-year maximum contract that could be worth nearly $110 million, though the third season is at Leonard’s option. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Clippers did not release contract terms.
The Athletic first reported the three-year term and option provision in Leonard’s deal. When Leonard decided he was leaving the Toronto Raptors for the Clippers last week, he and the Clippers had talked about a four-year max worth $141 million — but this move, which would make Leonard a free agent after his 10th season in the NBA, gives him the maximum amounts of flexibility and future earning power.
“This is a historic moment for our organization and our fans,” Frank said. “We are grateful and honored that Kawhi Leonard has decided to come home and join the L.A. Clippers. Kawhi is a peerless two-way player, a relentless worker and a natural fit for the serious, professional culture our group has established.”
Leonard will cost the Clippers a lot of money. George will cost them that plus a lot of picks.
The Clippers surrendered their first-round picks in 2022, ’24 and ’26, plus sent selections for ’21 and ’23 that were obtained through the Miami Heat, to Oklahoma City to complete the George trade. Oklahoma City also has the right to swap first-round picks with the Clippers in 2023 and ’25.
“From the time that Paul and his representation made us aware of what had been transpiring and their subsequent request, our focus as an organization was identifying the best paths for our future,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. “Resiliency has been a staple of our city and our franchise, and this challenge provided us with another opportunity to demonstrate that.”
The Thunder also now have a $10.4 million trade exception.
“Our goal with this transaction was to create value both in the short and long term and help reposition and replenish the organization’s future platform,” Presti said. “We are thrilled to welcome two extremely talented and efficient players in Shai and Danilo.”
Gilgeous-Alexander starred at Chattanooga’s Hamilton Heights Christian Academy before going on to a standout freshman season at Kentucky and then becoming the No. 11 pick overall in the 2018 draft. He was on the NBA’s All-Rookie second team this season.
It’s unclear if Presti is done making big moves this summer. The Thunder have engaged teams in conversations about the possibility of trading All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, a person familiar with that situation told the AP. Miami is one of the teams that has been part of those talks, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Thunder have not revealed specific details.
Presti said he wished George well.
“We are proud that Paul is a part of our history as an organization and that some of the best basketball of his career was in Oklahoma City,” Presti said. “He should be remembered fondly; we wish him and his family the best.”
George averaged a career-best 28 points last season even while dealing with shoulder injuries that required surgery, but the Thunder couldn’t get out of the first round in either of his two seasons in Oklahoma City. George was a finalist for both league MVP and defensive player of the year this past season, when he led the NBA with 2.21 steals per contest.
Leonard is also coming off the best season of his career. He averaged a career-high 26.6 points in the regular season and was even better in the playoffs, averaging 30.5 points for the Raptors in their run to the franchise’s — and Canada’s — first NBA title. He won NBA Finals MVP honors for the second time, adding this trophy to the one he got as a member of the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
Said Frank: “His expectation, and ours, is to contend for championships.”