As I was nearing the end of my shift on the night of June 30, I checked my phone to see the exact time. Sharing my home screen with the time of day was the notification that Paul George had been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
There was obvious shock in the moment and expected dismay after the news settled in. It was an underwhelming deal, but one we’d have to live with nonetheless.
Time passed and the season crept closer. The disappointment turned into interest and intrigue.