Itinuturing ngayon ng Los Angeles Clippers na makasaysayan para sa kanilang team ang opisyal na pagkakakuha nila sa serbisyo nina superstars Kawhi Leonard at Paul George.
Pumirma na kasi ng tatlong taong max contract sa kanila si Leonard na nagkakahalagang $103-milyon, at naisapinal na rin daw ang trade deal kay George sa Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sa pahayag ni Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, hindi raw nila sasayangin ang pagkakataon na nasa poder nila ang two-time NBA Finals MVP.
“This is a historic moment for our organization and our fans,” pahayag ni Frank.
“We are grateful and honored that Kawhi Leonard has decided to come home and join the L.A. Clippers. Kawhi is a peerless two-way player, a relentless worker and a natural fit for the serious, professional culture our group has established.
“He wins everywhere he goes, and he always has, from King High School to San Diego State to the NBA. Having him on our side is a tremendous privilege and a massive responsibility, one we will take very seriously. His expectation, and ours, is to contend for championships.”
Una nang napaulat na makatatanggap si Leonard ng four-year, $142 million maximum contract.
Hindi rin daw pumayag si Leonard sa deal hangga’t hindi nakukuha ng Clippers si George na kanilang ginawa sa pamamagitan ng pag-trade kay Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Italian forward Danilo Gallinari at limang future first-round NBA Draft picks sa Thunder para kay George.
“Paul George is one of the greatest two-way players in our game,” ani Frank. “He’s both an elite scorer and a relentless defender whose versatility elevates any team.
“When you have the opportunity to acquire a contributor of his caliber, you do what it takes to bring him home. Paul is a native of the Los Angeles area and an ideal fit for the Clippers, thanks to his selflessness and drive.
“We’ve plotted an aggressive course to build a championship contender and acquiring Paul is a critical step.”
