The Los Angeles Clippers sent the NBA world into a frenzy after pulling off two massive shockers on Saturday morning, acquiring both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The addition of this two-way superstar pairing instantly makes the Clippers heavy favorites to win the NBA championship next season. Clippers Nation is definitely ecstatic for what's to come.
Needless to say, so are Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams.
Safe to say Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) and Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) are excited to join Kawhi Leonard and Paul George with the #Clippers. pic.twitter.com/Xpp1EH7tT8
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 6, 2019
Do not talk Patrick Beverley!
The Clippers retained Beverley this summer with his own 3-year, $40-million deal. Williams, on the other hand, is still under contract for $8-million a year until the 2020-21 season after L.A. guaranteed him the final year of his current contract.
Led by Williams and Beverley, the 2018-19 Clippers over-achieved by surprisingly making the postseason when many didn't expect them to, especially after trading away former star player Tobias Harris at the trade deadline. And surely, nobody expected them to take two games – including a historic 31-point comeback victory – from the Golden State Warriors in their first round series match-up.
Add Leonard and George to the mix and you have an instant contender. The superstar tandem joins a solid core of Beverley, Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Moe Harkless, and Landry Shamet.
The Clippers didn't have to give up a ton of players to acquire George in the trade with Oklahoma City – they only traded away Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They did, however, give up their farm of draft picks to essentially make the deal work and lure in the reigning Finals MVP.
Nonetheless, despite the bevy of draft picks that they gave up, this is a move they had to make to bring in both Kawhi and PG13.
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