It was only a little more than a year ago the Paul George stood on a stage in Arcadia, Oklahoma, with Russell Westbrook, champagne bottles popped, a cigar in one hand and a microphone in the other, and announced he was returning to Oklahoma City. "If y'all didn't quite get it, let me say it again: I'm here to stay," he said.
Some time in the last few days, George's agent, Aaron Mintz, called Thunder general manager Sam Presti and requested George be traded. It was a complete and total blindside to the Thunder, but came because Kawhi Leonard had been working to recruit George to join him with the Los Angeles Clippers.