The 2019 NBA offseason got its biggest surprise early in the morning on Saturday, July 6, when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Kawhi Leonard would be joining the Los Angeles Clippers … along with Paul George via trade.
The Clippers had to trade away four first-round draft picks, Danilo Gallinari AND Shai Gilgeous Alexander to make it happen, but they got George from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they have their foundation.
Oklahoma City has to feel fantastic about the trade as well. Yes, they lose George, but the haul is one that can set a team up for success for a decade.
Yet, despite this being a win-win for everyone involved (except maybe the Raptors and Drake, though they got a title so I can’t feel too badly) it’s still awkward. It’s awkward because July 7, tomorrow, is Paul George Day in Oklahoma City.
Last year Mayor David Holt honored George for signing an extension with the team by declaring July 7th to be Paul George Day. I think the day is just a one-time thing, and doesn’t carry over to future years, but I also don’t know a ton about mayoral proclamations re: made up days and the statute of limitations on those or whatever, so I defer to the group on this one.
Regardless, it’s wild that a year ago OKC was celebrating Paul George Day. Three hundred and sixty four days later, he’s traded to the Clippers. It’s like that sometimes.
