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Los Angeles Clippers got the best possible fit in Paul George

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder encourages his teammates from the bench in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder encourages his teammates from the bench in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers brought in Paul George to be the second star alongside Kawhi Leonard but also tried brining in other stars as well.

The main reason why Kawhi Leonard took so long to sign with a team is that he was waiting to see if the Los Angeles Clippers could bring in a second superstar to help contend for the title.

That is exactly what happened as just minutes after it was announced that Leonard signed with the Clippers it was also announced that the team traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and a slew of draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George.

Now, the Clippers have one of the best title-contending teams in the league. Not only do they have the star power with Leonard and George, but the team has one of the best seven/eight-man rotations in the league and are the best defensive team on paper heading into the season.

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It is definitely a time to get excited for Clipper fans as watching Leonard and George, who was an MVP candidate last season, is going to be special.

It almost wasn’t meant to be, though, as the Clippers reportedly reached out to other options as well before reaching out for George.

There were the reports that Leonard reached out to Kevin Durant way before Leonard made his decision but Durant obviously declined. It wasn’t just Leonard covering all bases as the Clippers were as well.

The team reportedly reached out for James Harden and Bradley Beal prior to landing George, both of which were made unavailable. That should have been expected as Harden is coming off yet another remarkable year and the Washington Wizards are keen on keeping Bradley Beal around.

It may seem like now that the Clippers got stuck with their plan C option when in reality, the team got the best matchup fit of the three options.

In George, the Los Angeles Clippers get an elite defensive guard who is both a playmaker and can play off-ball. George can get to the basket and can score from the outside at an elite level, making him a perfect fit alongside Leonard.

Harden may be the better player right now but he would have been a disastrous fit on the Clippers. Harden is so ball-dominant that it would have had a negative impact on either his play or Leonard’s play. One of the two would have had to sacrifice and there was no way that Harden’s defense would fly on this team.

Sure, Harden is a playmaker and can create chances for Leonard, but he also loves to have the ball and score a ton.

Beal would not have been a bad fit on the Clippers as he too provides perimeter scoring and above-average defense. When Beal is hot he is one of the best scorers in the league and he is the perfect-caliber player to be a second star.

George is simply a better version of what Beal is. Beal may have the scoring edge when he is on fire but George more than makes up for it on the defensive end.

Next. Pau Gasol should be on the radar. dark

So despite these reports, the Los Angeles Clippers did get their ideal fit in Paul George. All the team was doing was covering all of the bases and luckily they ended up hitting home plate.

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