When all the dust had cleared, it was the acquisition of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George that would lead to the Los Angeles Clippers signing Kawhi Leonard.
But before the Clippers sent a record number of draft picks to the Thunder (in addition to Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), the team had inquired into possible deals for Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, according to ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski:
The Clippers inquired on deals for Washington's Bradley Beal and New Orleans' Jrue Holiday, but those guards weren't available in trades. Eventually, Leonard made his intentions known to the Clippers: Paul George.
The Wizards have consistently maintained their stance of retaining Beal, and are likely to pursue negotiations for a contract extension. Meanwhile, Holiday is expected to be one of the most important veterans on a Pelicans roster that already looks strong in the midst of a rebuild.
Although the Clippers struck out on Beal and Holiday–two players that might have garnered a lesser return–the acquisition of George provides them with another legitimate two-way MVP candidate to compliment Leonard on the wing.
Beal had the best year of his career and developed as a bona fide playmaker on the offensive end, but he is not on George's level defensively. Holiday could be one of the most underrated combo guards in the game, but the Clippers had just re-signed Patrick Beverley to a new deal and appeared set in the backcourt.
George and Leonard both return home to Los Angeles, where they hope to win the first championship in Clippers history.
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