LAS VEGAS – One earthquake preempted another.
In the span of one surreal night, the NBA’s landscape shifted demonstrably toward the Western Conference. Kawhi Leonard’s decision to sign with the Clippers – and their subsequent trade for Oklahoma City’s star forward Paul George – tilted the NBA’s pecking order toward Los Angeles.
That it wasn’t the Lakers is a massive win for the rest of the NBA, and by default, the Denver Nuggets.
Leonard, the reigning Finals MVP, held the league in suspense for days before convincing George to make a trade request and uproot his comfortable, if tricky, situation in Oklahoma City.