Paul George called fellow Los Angeles native Kawhi Leonard to congratulate him shortly after the Toronto Raptors secured a Game 6 victory against the Golden State Warriors and won their first-ever NBA title. That call eventually “took a life of its own,” ensuing a series of countless text messages, phone calls, and two meetings at Drake’s house — which ultimately unleashed the dream to link up with the Los Angeles Clippers.

In a recent ESPN The Magazine cover story by Ramona Shelburne, George detailed how he dreamt of playing in front of his mother Paulette and how he envisioned lacing them up at the Staples Center.

The dream was more than merely playing for the Clippers, but playing for his hometown — as the Palmdale native was eventually traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a record cost of five first-round draft picks, forward Danilo Gallinari and rookie guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Yet it was George's willingness to approach Leonard, even for congratulatory reasons, was the first step in making this happen. It wasn't long before Leonard was the one calling George, forcing him to step out of his dinner table and pick up.

Drake had allowed Leonard to stay at his Hidden Hills residence while he was receiving pitches from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers, yet the plan was only getting started there.

By July 1, Leonard had told the Clippers that he would only play for them if they could improve their roster by adding an All-Star-caliber player like George.

The following day, Leonard met with George in Los Angeles. Shortly after they met, George's agent called Thunder president Sam Presti, asking if he would look for a trade to help the two stars play under the same roof.

Presti was shocked, later meeting with George to confirm his intent to leave. George told him his main intent was to be close to home, a place he had wanted to go two years ago when he first requested a trade from the Indiana Pacers.

The OKC boss conceded, and that marked the beginning of what would become the Leonard-George era in Los Angeles.