University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari called Los Angeles Clippers assistant Sam Cassell and suggested that the franchise pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Cassell and the Clippers listened to Calipari and drafted Gilgeous-Alexander with the 11th overall pick. The point guard had a sound rookie season in 2018-19, as he averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Via Brett Dawson of The Athletic:

When Calipari called Sam Cassell, a Clippers assistant coach who’d played for him with the New Jersey Nets, his pitch for Gilgeous-Alexander was straightforward.

“He’s the one,” Calipari told Cassell. “He’s the one in this draft.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's tenure with the Clippers only last one season. LAC traded the youngster to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the blockbuster Paul George trade.

Gilgeous-Alexander will get to run the show in OKC now that Russell Westbrook is on the Houston Rockets. It looks like Chris Paul is going to begin the 2019-20 season on the Thunder, but this is still Gilgeous-Alexander's offense to run since he's the future of the team.

The Clippers probably wanted to hold onto Gilgeous-Alexander since he's a great kid. However, to acquire a superstar talent like George, they had to part ways with players and assets they liked.