In a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, former Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers opened up about his reservations regarding the 2019 trade that sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Paul George. Rivers shared that while he was initially pleased with the prospect of acquiring both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, he raised concerns about giving up the promising young talent, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Despite Rivers’ suggestion of exploring alternatives and potentially convincing Kawhi Leonard to play alongside Shai before making a trade decision, the Clippers were unwilling to risk losing out on Leonard to their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rivers admitted that, in hindsight, allowing Leonard to play the game and possibly convincing him to join forces with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might have been the better approach. However, the fear of Leonard signing with the Lakers prompted the Clippers to make the blockbuster trade for George.

Rivers emphasized that Leonard had all the leverage during the negotiations and even revealed that Kawhi visited only his house during free agency, indicating a sense of confidence in the Clippers’ pursuit.

Lou Williams, a Clippers player at the time, later confirmed the team’s disappointment over trading Gilgeous-Alexander. Despite understanding the caliber of Paul George, players were reportedly heartbroken as they had invested time and effort in Shai’s development.

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to shine with the Oklahoma City Thunder, currently averaging impressive statistics and leading the team to a strong start in the 2023-24 season, the Clippers’ decision to trade him away without winning a title with Paul George is seen as a potential misstep. The outcome of this trade will likely be scrutinized if the Clippers fail to secure a championship, raising questions about the fairness of the deal in hindsight.”