Sam Presti was allegedly stunned when the agent of Paul George approached him on July 2nd about trading him to a team in which he could play with Kawhi Leonard.
Presti said he would consider it, but he requested a face-to-face meeting withe George before proceeding. Presti flew to Los Angeles that evening and met with George on July 3rd. George reiterated his request and talked through his reasons for wanting a trade both to play with Leonard but also to play at home.
Presti respected the way George went about it and would look for trades that would make sense for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder opened conversations with the Los Angeles Clippers on July 4th.
"We were optimistic," George said. "But we were still unsure."
George received word from his agent that a deal was done and he called his parents.
"I can't explain what that feels like," George said. "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.
"But I think the best thing is before every game when I'm introduced, 'Paul George from Palmdale, California.' I'm not playing for the Clippers. This is home. I'm playing for the home team."
