LA Clippers Acquire Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in Blockbuster Trade
Trade Details
The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George from the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively, in a blockbuster trade that was completed on July 6, 2019.
The Clippers sent Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, five first-round picks, and two pick swaps to the Thunder in exchange for George. They also sent DeAndre Jordan, four first-round picks, the rights to swap picks in 2023, and the rights to swap picks in 2025 to the Spurs in exchange for Leonard.
Analysis
The trade is a major win for the Clippers, who have been in pursuit of a championship for years. Leonard is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and two-time NBA Finals MVP. George is a six-time NBA All-Star and one of the best two-way players in the league.
The Clippers now have one of the best rosters in the NBA. They have a solid starting lineup that includes Leonard, George, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams. They also have a deep bench that includes Landry Shamet, Ivica Zubac, and JaMychal Green.
The trade is a major blow to the Spurs and Thunder. The Spurs have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA over the past two decades, but they are now in a rebuilding mode. The Thunder are also in a rebuilding mode, and they have now traded away their two best players.
Conclusion
The trade is a major shakeup in the NBA landscape. The Clippers are now one of the favorites to win the championship, while the Spurs and Thunder are now in rebuilding mode. It will be interesting to see how the trade impacts the NBA in the years to come.