Overnight, Clips make themselves title favorite

BRUCE JENKINS NBA

Now that we’re clear on the featured NBA telecast for Christmas Day — Lakers vs. Clippers in the battle of Los Angeles — let’s sort out the ramifications of Friday night’s crazy, out of nowhere developments: For those who missed the afterhours blockbuster, Kawhi Leonard gave up on the idea of staying in Toronto and, according to ESPN, had a Monday night meeting with coach Doc Rivers and Clippers executives at Rivers’ Malibu home. With an eye on his hometown, Leonard began recruiting Paul George, another Southern California guy, to join him on the Clippers. George liked the sound of that and requested a trade. Oklahoma City obliged, dealing George for point guard Shai Gilgeous Alexander, forward Danilo Gallinari and a massive haul of future draft picks.

And just like that, the Clippers became the favorite to win next year’s title. After all the clumsy “reports” and rumors about Leonard’s future, who saw this coming? Pretty much nobody. How’s this for a closeoutthegame lineup: Leonard, George, Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell. That’s a ton of clutch shooting and stifling defense, with solid DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook agree to deals with Lakers.

contributors Landry Shamet, Maurice Harkless and Ivica Zubac coming off the bench — and probably another transaction or two in the works. Mfiondu Kabengele, the firstround draft pick out of Florida State, is a 6foot10 center who can score, rebound and protect the rim. (George is coming off surgery on both shoulders and may miss the first few weeks of the season.) Common denominator on Leonard joining the Clippers, Kevin Durant choosing the Warriors and the Lakers landing Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant: Jerry West in the front office. West’s decision to leave the Warriors and hook up with another winatallcosts owner, Steve Ballmer ,is looking typically brilliant. The stunning list of what Oklahoma City acquired in future drafts: An unprotected firstround pick from Miami (2021), three more from the Clippers (2022, 2024, 2026), a top 14protected firstround pick from Miami in 2023, and the right to swap firstround picks with the Clippers in 2023 and 2025. As ESPN’s Zach Lowe described it, “A freaking motherlode.” Given that, put yourself in Russell Westbrook’s place. He hasn’t been able to push the Thunder past the first round for three straight years. He just lost his good friend George, who had two guaranteed years left on his OKC deal. Gilgeous Alexander has a big future in the league and could turn Westbrook into a shooting guard. Not surprisingly, OKC is giving serious thought to trading Westbrook, still owed $171 million over the next four years. This was devastating news for the Lakers, who were counting on using their $32 million cap space on Leonard, but it’s not a terribly sad story, not with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma hatching big plans. They’ve added two good shooters in Danny Green and Jared Dudley. They’re turning back to Rajon Rondo to run the point. DeMarcus Cousins, who formed an impressive bigman combination with Davis in New Orleans, joined the party Saturday. And the Lakers made a nice call with Quinn Cook (cut loose by the Warriors), who signed a twoyear deal.

Cook’s teammates always marveled at his affable nature and a knack for befriending celebrities of all kinds. He’ll fit right in. Where does this leave Toronto? Green’s absence will be felt. Three players who had intended to remain Leonard’s teammate through the final year of their contracts — Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka — could now be traded. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell and OG Anunoby won’t be going anywhere. (Patrick McCaw is a restricted free agent, while Jeremy Lin is unrestricted.) The Raptors, the city of Toronto and the whole of Canada will always have that cherished championship. Next season looks like the start of a rebuild.

According to an ESPN report, Leonard called Durant before the opening of the freeagent window and asked if he’d consider teaming up with the Clippers. “He’d always admired him and had tremendous respect for him as a competitor,” wrote Ramona Shelburne. “Durant was flattered and more than a little stunned, according to sources close to the situation. He didn’t know Leonard that well, so getting a recruiting call like that made a real impression.” When Durant followed through with his plan to join Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, Leonard turned his attention to George, a longtime friend and fellow “sleeper” from past drafts (Leonard played at San Diego State, George at Fresno State). Grim realization for the Warriors: At least six Western Conference rivals — Houston, Denver, Utah, Portland, the Lakers and the Clippers — have the talent and belief to reach next year’s Finals. Just know that everyone will be following the progress of Klay Thompson’s recovery from ACL surgery. The prognosis indicates five to seven months, and if Thompson comes back on the early side, he’ll have plenty of time to get acclimated. Even if he needs seven months, his return — right around the midFebruary trading deadline — will be perfectly timed. There’s no kidding around with NBA free agency. The very first day (Sunday) saw some $2 billion in money committed to contracts, and more than 40 deals. Contrast that to the travesty of Major League Baseball’s winter market, where the theme seems to be, “How about we take two or three months to really think this over?”

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: bjenkins@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Bruce_Jenkins1

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Kawhi Leonard, answering questions in Toronto before Game 5 against the Warriors, put himself in great position to return to the Finals by signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press Paul George averaged a careerhigh 28 points per game with the Thunder.