Paul George Reveals He & Kawhi Leonard Met At Drake’s Home To Plan Their Shocking Move To L.A. Clippers

Paul George Reveals He & Kawhi Leonard Met At Drake’s Home To Plan Their Shocking Move To L.A. Clippers

NBA superstar forward, Paul George made his return to his hometown this past offseason, signing one of the most surprising trades of the decade. On Wednesday (Jan. 14th), Paul George sat with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne to discuss how he and the 2-time NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard constructed their plan to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers together. Paul George says their plans all started after he reached out to congratulate Kawhi Leonard following his NBA championship victory.

Paul George called to congratulate Kawhi Leonard on winning a championship and then “it took on a life of its own.” After countless text messages, phone calls and two meetings at Drake’s house ?, they were both home in LA. Here’s why that meant so much to George. pic.twitter.com/7Hr6weE89r

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 15, 2020

Soon after, the unexpected duo reportedly had several secretive meetings at Drake’s Hidden Hills home. Drake befriended Kawhi Leonard during his season with the Toronto Raptors and let Kawhi Leonard, who lives in San Diego, stay at his home when the NBA star was in Los Angeles for free-agent meetings.

Paul George recalled:

“There were countless text messages and phone calls and then two in-person meetings at Drake’s house in Hidden Hills, California.

George and Leonard allegedly met July 2 in Los Angeles, then George’s agent reached out to Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti to discuss a possible trade to the L.A. Clippers.

According to Ramona Shelburne, Sam Presti was “stunned” and met with George to personally address the situation. The Thunder subsequently waved the white flag to George’s request and eventually worked out the blockbuster deal with Los Angeles.

George and Leonard reportedly met another time after Leonard returned from a meeting in Toronto to keep each other updated on what was happening. Fast forward to George’s July agreement with terms to become a Clipper, he got word that the deal was complete from his agent.

“I can’t explain what that feels like. As a kid, you see yourself and you envision this. I pictured my parents being able to watch me at Staples. I pictured playing in L.A. I pictured being an All-Star, a superstar.

On Dec. 29, George and the city of Palmdale officially unveiled three basketball courts he helped renovate at a public park.

In exchange for trading George To LA, the Oklahoma City Thunder receives the Clippers’ unprotected 2022, 2024 and 2026 picks, their unprotected 2021 and protected 2023 first-round picks via Miami, and the rights to swap picks with the Clippers in 2023 and 2025, according to ESPN