Former NBA star Austin Rivers criticized the major deal that took Paul George to the LA Clippers in 2019.
The deal that took Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019 is still echoing around the NBA.
George moved from the free agency Clippers in 2024, but one of the players the Clippers gave up, Shy Gilgus Alexander, has been awarded the MVP award of the season.
The Clippers didn’t know how good the SGA of the players was, but at the time the move was still a great gamble as the team was trying to compete with their rivals to compete with the rivals they teamed up with LeBron James.
The move to bring Paul George to the Clippers has partnered with Kawi Leonard, who just led the Toronto Raptors to the title.
Former NBA player Austin Rivers has unique insights into the Paul George trade. Because his father, Doc Rivers, was the head coach of the LA Clippers at the time of trade.
Doc Rivers left his role with the Clippers a year later, finishing a seven-year stint after blowing a 3-1 playoff series lead against the Nuggets.
Austin Rivers believes Paul George Trade is a key part of his father’s firing and the team failed to deliver.
He told the Offguard Podcast: “My pops were the Clippers coach, and he was part of the Paul George acquisition, and he eventually took him to his team on his way.
Rivers explained that he had no personal complaints with Paul George, but he believes it is clearly a wrong move, and the current Six Star is not the right player to build.
“I’m not blaming Paul George. I think he’s a talented, talented basketball player.
“He obviously has been in the NBA and more than ever I have achieved, all these different great things, very talented scorers, a lot of abilities. I don’t think he’s a leader.
“I don’t think he’s the winner. He’s not someone who likes me, really trusts me and can go to the fight.
“I think he was a talented guy who always had a cute game to watch. In the best way, his handle is very smooth. So people are about to fall in love with Paul George. But for me, that’s the end.”
He went on to add that Kawi Leonard’s desire to sign Paul George and the team’s desire to appease the former Raptors star are key reasons to move on.
Austin Rivers has no doubts how the trade is seen, reflecting on the need to give up on Shy Gilgas Alexander in the deal.
“Looking back at it now, the fact that the guy was traded for Shy along with all the other picks is one of the worst deals in NBA history.
Austin Rivers admits that when trade progressed, he didn’t feel like he was doing it now, or even feeling positive.
He explained:
“Trust me, when they got Paul George, I remember they got Paul the Cowhi, I remember what I said to my pops.
And back to the present, he added: “Now it’s matured like milk.”