The Los Angeles Clippers believed that Kawhi Leonard would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers if they did not trade for Paul George, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
That fear lead the Clippers to trade five first-round draft picks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari to the Thunder.
The Clippers understood they needed a second star to recruit Leonard and inquired on the availability of Bradley Beal and Jrue Holiday, according to ESPN.
The Clippers also feared the Raptors trading for George, although Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster lacked the desire and assets to beat the Clippers' offer.