In the wee hours of the night on July 5, the Los Angeles Clippers shocked most around the basketball community. While most “experts” were expecting Kawhi Leonard to sign with either the Toronto Raptors or the Los Angeles Lakers, it was the Clippers that were able to rein in the NBA Finals MVP. Last season, in 60 games, Leonard averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 49.6% shooting.
While the news of Leonard coming to the Clippers was stunning, it wasn’t even close to as shocking as the news that came out next, that Paul George was also traded to the Clippers. Apparently, this was all part of the plan as Leonard’s camp made it known to the Clippers that if they were able to get George, he would sign with them. Thus, the Clippers made the deal despite having to trade away a king’s ransom for him. In exchange for George, the Clippers traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick, and two pick swaps.
While mortgaging some of the future, the Clippers certainly mean business. George, who averaged 28 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 77 games, and Leonard will make a formidable one-two punch that will contend for superiority of the Staples Center with the Lakers. Throw in players like Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell and others, and the Clippers will be a fun team to watch next season.
Thunder Leaning Towards A Rebuild?
With George traded to the Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder may be leaning towards tearing it all the way down and looking to rebuild. With that in mind, all attention has moved towards Russell Westbrook. This season with the Thunder, Westbrook averaged a triple-double with 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game on 42.8% shooting. It is hard to imagine Westbrook playing for any other team, as he has played all 11 of his seasons with them, but it soon could become a reality.
Several teams appear to be interested, but it seems like the Miami Heat have currently put themselves at the front of the line. Westbrook and Jimmy Butler would make a nice tandem in the East, but it remains to be seen if they will offer a package enticing enough to move Westbrook and the four years and $171 million left on his contract. They certainly will look to get a solid package for him to couple with what they got for George.
In addition to trading George and possibly trading Westbrook, the Thunder also traded away Jerami Grant to the Denver Nuggets. In return, the Thunder received another first-round pick, adding to the collection that they got in the George trade.
King James To Play Point Guard?
Despite falling short in the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes, the Lakers still have a formidable lineup and were able to make their own version of a big three with Lebron, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins. With Davis, Cousins and Kyle Kuzma in the fold, though, it definitely makes for a big lineup, and that doesn’t even count LeBron James, who usually would fit into the small forward/power forward role. With that in mind, the Lakers are looking to try LeBron at a different spot, point guard. While it has not been uncommon throughout his career to see LeBron handling the ball, it would certainly be a change of tempo to see that be his primary position.
Between LeBron, Danny Green, Kuzma, Davis, and Cousins, it would certainly be a large and intimidating team on both sides of the ball. It remains to be seen whether it will work long term, but it is an interesting concept for a player who averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 55 games last season.
If the Lakers do not go with that plan long term, they do have other options. They do have Rajon Rondo, Quinn Cook, and Alex Caruso in the fold and it also appears that Avery Bradley will sign with the Lakers once he clears waivers from his release by the Grizzlies. Last season, Bradley averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Barnes Re-Signs With Kings
The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a new four-year deal with forward Harrison Barnes worth $85 million. Barnes was traded to the Kings last season from the Dallas Mavericks. When traded, Barnes was in the third year of a four-year deal, but the fourth year was a player option. He opted to turn down that player option but was able to turn it into a new deal with the Kings. Last season, in 77 games, Barnes averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field and 82.4% from the free throw line. This offseason has seen the Kings sign Barnes, Trevor Ariza, and Dewayne Dedmon to deals.
Burks Changes Course
On Thursday it was reported that guard Alec Burks had signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder; however, after the Thunder decided to change the future of their organizational path by trading Paul George, the Thunder graciously have allowed Alec Burks and Mike Muscala, both of whom had signed prior to the trade, the opportunity to change course if they so chose. For Muscala, he will remain with the Thunder, but Burks took the Thunder up on their offer and has decided to rescind his deal. Instead, Burks will be signing a one-year deal (likely a minimum-salary deal) with the Golden State Warriors.
Parker Signs With Atlanta
After the dust settled from all of the first few days of free-agent deals, forward Jabari Parker found himself still without a home. However, on Monday, Parker agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, with the second year being a player option. The former No. 2 overall pick has certainly had a fall from grace when it comes to his stock as a player, but he has shown that he can still be serviceable at times. Last season, Parker averaged 14.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 64 games while shooting 49.3% from the field for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. Atlanta hopes to tap into some of that production this season.
