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Sam Presti 'stunned' by Paul George's request to be traded

Credit: Zach Beeker/NBAE - Getty Images

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When Paul George request a trade from Oklahoma City to the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2019, it was a move that shocked not only the Thunder’s front office but the NBA as a whole.

It was an ask that changed the landscape of the league, pairing George with Kawhi Leonard in L.A., sending Russell Westbrook to Houston and leaving OKC with an aging All-Star, an up-and-comer, and a whole lot of questions.

George opened up about his decision to pursue the opportunity in Los Angeles in a recent interview with Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, saying that his family, especially his mother who suffered a stroke when George was only six, was the main reason why he wanted to return to his hometown.

He detailed for Shelburne how everything unfolded, saying that it started with a phone call to Leonard to congratulate him on winning an NBA Championship with the Raptors.

There were countless text messages and phone calls and then two in-person meetings at Drake’s house in Hidden Hills, California. (Drake had befriended Leonard during his season in Toronto and let Leonard — who lives in San Diego — stay there when he was in Los Angeles for free-agent meetings.) By July 1, they had decided to put their plan in motion: Leonard told the Clippers that he was interested in playing for them but only if they could improve their roster by adding an All-Star-caliber player like George.

The next day, Leonard met with George in Los Angeles. Shortly after their meeting, George’s agent placed a call to Thunder president Sam Presti, asking if he would look for a trade to help George and Leonard play together.

Per Shelburne, Presti was stunned and asked if he could meet with George in person before moving forward with potential trade talks. The two met on July 3.

George reiterated the request and talked through his reasons for wanting to make such a move — he wanted to play with Leonard but mostly wanted to play at home — just a year after re-signing with the Thunder.

It wasn’t what Presti wanted to hear, but he respected the way George went about it. Presti said he’d look for trades that would help him play with Leonard and made sense for the Thunder.

If there is any consolation for Thunder fans, George acknowledged that if not for Leonard suggesting the two play together, he would’ve likely stayed in Oklahoma City because of “the bond and loyalty he felt to Westbrook and the Thunder” even after just one season.

As it was, George was traded to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and collection of draft picks. Days later, the Thunder sent Westbrook to Houston in return for Chris Paul and more picks. Those deals laid the groundwork for what OKC is doing now.

Even without George and Westbrook, Oklahoma City is defying expectations this season, sitting in 7th place in the Western Conference standings and competing for a postseason spot.

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