NBA: Clippers Coach Reveals Up And Down Moments In Landing Prized Forward

The Los Angeles Clippers pulled a fast one, or at least most felt they did this summer. With most focused on whether Kawhi Leonard would be moving to Los Angeles or not, it was the sudden trade pulled for Paul George that stole the show. It turns out that it was all part of what Leonard had wanted.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers revealed details on that fateful day. It was an up and down scenario between the Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Clarity only set in towards the end of that day with the NBA champion coach heaving a sigh of relief only by dinner.

“We knew we were close. I can tell you on the day that it all went down, at 10 that morning, we thought the deal was over, that it wasn’t going to happen. Because Oklahoma and us, we just couldn’t get a deal done. At two, we thought it was back on. At five, Lawrence [Frank, Clippers president] said ‘Hey, it’s over. We can all just go to dinner’," recounted Rivers when he appeared on the Rich Elsen Show.

“And so I was on my way to dinner, I was literally walking into Nobu in Malibu and I get a text, ‘Grab your phone, it’s back on.’ Within an hour, the deal was done.”

From there, the rest is history. It was a trade no one saw and the Clippers suddenly became title contenders. It practically stole the show considering there were big moves that were made. That involves the move of Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets nabbing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The Clippers know that going all the way to the 2019-20 NBA Finals is easier said than done. In the Western Conference alone, they need to get past heavy competition. Aside from the Lakers, the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors remain formidable. There are also unpredictable teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets to contend with.

Speaking of personnel, the Clippers could use a veteran swingman if they can pull some strings. Andre Iguodala has been linked to the Clips and Rivers did seem to like it as reported in a previous post. Could there be a chance that talks are going down right now? It would hardly come as a surprise.