Report: Kawhi 'recruited the hell out of' George before Clippers trade
Kawhi Leonard was determined to team up with Paul George.
In the days leading up to the bombshell report that the two would join forces in Los Angeles, Leonard was heavily recruiting George in the hopes of convincing him to team up as members of the Clippers, sources told The Athletic's Sam Amick.
"Kawhi recruited the hell out of him," a source told Amick. "He did a number on Paul."
Leonard's recruitment strategy proved effective. George, through his agent Aaron Mintz, informed Thunder general manager Sam Presti at some point over the last few days that he wished to be traded to the Clippers, according to ESPN's Royce Young. In exchange, the Thunder reportedly landed guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five future first-round picks, and two further pick swaps.
Leonard apparently always hoped to join the Clippers but wanted to partner with another superstar there. Prior to reaching out to George, Leonard also called Kevin Durant to ask if he would consider teaming up in Los Angeles, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Durant was stunned by the request, according to Shelburne, but ultimately decided to join Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets.
It's unclear what Leonard's plans were if the Clippers failed to swing a deal for George, though the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers were also said to be chasing the forward. Prior to joining the Clippers, the reigning Finals MVP was asking the Lakers to delay their all-but-finalized trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis until possibly as late as Sunday, Shelburne adds.
The Lakers would not have been able to officially acquire Davis in their reported agreement with the Pelicans until after signing Leonard as a free agent due to salary cap constraints.
Traded to the Thunder by the Indiana Pacers in 2017 with a year remaining on his contract, George famously re-signed with Oklahoma City last year on a four-year, $137-million deal. Despite the 29-year-old's sudden demand to be moved to the Clippers, no fallout between George and fellow Thunder All-Star Russell Westbrook preceded the trade request and the two stars maintained a strong relationship during the process, sources told Young.