Los Angeles Clippers superstar small forward Kawhi Leonard says Paul George “was a guy I always wanted to play with.”

Leonard almost got his wish back in 2011. The Indiana Pacers drafted Leonard with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Indiana, though, traded Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night for George Hill.

Everything in life comes full circle, though. Leonard and George are now teammates on the Clippers and eager to lead the franchise to its first-ever championship.

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Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are two of the best two-way wings in the league. Both stars can score 20-plus points in their sleep, while also defending elite players such as LeBron James, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo for 48 minutes.

Leonard, who just won his second Finals MVP with the Toronto Raptors, convinced George to request a trade to the Clippers. The two LA natives have now made the Clippers title contenders for the first time in franchise history. Opposing teams are going to have a hard time scoring against LAC in 2019-20. Along with PG and Kawhi, the Clips have two other stout defenders in Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell.

It's going to be so much fun to watch Leonard and George lead the Clippers next season. Both stars are playing at home and motivated to prove to everyone the Clips, and not the Lakers, run Los Angeles.