So, since this is an emergency blog. And now, since I will not get sleep because of this, I might as well discuss which is probably the two greatest moves that will shake the NBA's core for years to come.
KAWHI LEONARD- A multiple All-Star who just won a championship in his only year with the Toronto Raptors. He also won Finals MVP for the second time and many believed this was the key for Kawhi to stay in Toronto. But......
PAUL GEORGE- George signed a max contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer to pair himself with Russell Westbrook and shocking fans because many thought he would go to the hometown Lakers. George had his best season in his career (28 PPG, 8.2 REB, 4.1 AST) and finished third in MVP voting and many thought that Westbrook and George could lead the Thunder as title contenders. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK- I don't know whether to feel sorry for him or chastise him. Westbrook is an absolute talent that many teams would love to have. Here is where I feel bad for him: Harden, Durant and George are generational talents that played with him and left the Thunder. Here is where I will chastise him: Westbrook tends to be the "guy" when he doesn't have to be and that rubs other players the wrong way and this is what happens. Now Westbrook wants out. The Thunder could get a haul for him.
RAPTORS PRESIDENT MASAI UJIRI- I give him credit. He took a risk acquiring Kawhi from the Spurs, trading away franchise player DeMar DeRozan and keeping the Raptors as title contenders. Then it happened. The Raptors, led by Kawhi Leonard, won the NBA championship. If you think about it, Ujiri did his job. He delivered the city and franchise an NBA title. The problem is that he not only lost Kawhi, but Danny Green left for the Lakers. So he has two holes to fill. Maybe he should have taken the Wizards' job after all.
THUNDER GM SAM PRESTI- Sam Presti is very underrated as GM and makes moves to help the franchise stay in the playoff race, but the Thunder seems to be snake-bitten as a franchise. The Harden trade was stunning, but I understand why it was done. Kevin Durant bolting for the Warriors wasn't his fault and trading for George was a risk and they gave up future pieces to get him. And he seemed to win the day when George re-signed with the Thunder. But let's be honest: the writing was on the wall. The Thunder bowed out of the first round in uninspiring efforts for consecutive seasons and Presti got an impressive haul to set the Thunder up for the future.
CLIPPERS FRONT OFFICE (Lawrence Frank/Michael Winger)- Speaking of the writing is on the wall, the Clippers knew that LOB City was not going to deliver them a championship, so in 2017, they blew it up. Chris Paul traded to Houston for a slew of players that included Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams and Pat Beverley. All key contributors for the Clips. Blake Griffin traded to Detroit for basically Tobias Harris and a first round pick and they flipped Harris and Boban for picks and Landry Shamet. The Clippers had a plan and knew they had two slots for max contracts. The thought process for both men was that they went into this free agency period as calm and cool knowing that everyone didn't expect the Clips to make a splash in free agency. Unlike their counterparts, the Lakers, who seem to be desperate to get superstars and fast.
CLIPPERS GOVERNOR STEVE BALLMER- Ballmer is Mark Cuban without the complaining about officials. Ballmer has made the atmosphere in Clipperland a million times better than the previous governor. A lot of people think he tends to go overboard while sitting courtside and being very enthuiastic for the team. Would you rather have Donald Sterling back? He was very stoic sitting courtside, didn't really care for the team winning and oh yeah, he's a racist. Anyway, Kawhi and PG enter a great atmosphere with the Clippers.
THUNDER GOVERNOR CLAY BENNETT- It's called karma. Basketball karma has collected since you moved the Sonics to Oklahoma City. Generational talent after generational talent has come and left without giving you a championship that you crave. Now the team is about to enter the world of rebuilding. George traded for a truckful of picks and Westbrook could be gone for another truckful of picks. The window has officially closed for the Thunder to win.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS- Nope, nope, nope, nope. Not going to do it.
DRAKE- Ummm.......the Six won a title. That's good, right?
So in conclusion, Kawhi hinted all along that he wanted to go home. Many will say he is a snake by leaving Toronto and going to L.A. I think this could be a signing that can finally push the Clippers into legit championship. Trading for George will be a huge sacrifice for them, but if that means winning a title, then it's a great gamble.