Report: Thunder offered George, Westbrook to Raptors for Siakam

The Los Angeles Clippers apparently weren't the only potential destination for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

After George informed Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti that he wished to be traded to team up with Leonard next season, Presti shopped George to the Toronto Raptors in a package with All-Star guard Russell Westbrook with the hopes of acquiring rising star Pascal Siakam in return, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

George is said to have been willing to play for the Raptors next season but Raptors president Masai Ujiri rejected the proposal as it wasn't guaranteed Leonard would return even if Toronto acquired George, Wojnarowski adds.

It's unknown if a swap with Toronto was ever truly close to fruition, though the Raptors' involvement apparently proved to be enough leverage for the Thunder.

The Clippers' front-office brass, including owner Steve Ballmer, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, and general manager Michael Winger, all feared the Thunder were close to sending George to Toronto, thereby potentially foiling their plans to add Leonard, notes Wojnarowski.

In response, they reportedly convinced Oklahoma City to send George to the Clippers for a package consisting of guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, forward Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks, and two other pick swaps.

While Siakam was believed to be the focal point for the Thunder in trade talks with the Raptors, Toronto taking on Westbrook likely would have meant parting ways with franchise star Kyle Lowry; the two play the same position and Lowry's $33-million salary for 2019-20 is the closest figure on the Raptors' books to the $38.5 million owed to Westbrook.