CLIPPERS PICK UP PAUL GEORGE IN BLOCKBUSTER!

The Los Angeles Clippers acquired guard/forward Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Danilo Gallinari, guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a first-round draft pick in 2021, a first-round draft pick in 2022, a protected first-round draft pick in 2023, a first-round draft pick in 2024, a first-round draft pick in 2026, the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2023 and the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2025.

What does it give the Los Angeles Clippers
Now THIS is a blockbuster trade! The only reason why George, a great player but not the top talent in the NBA, would be dealt for nine assets is because his arrival in Los Angeles coincides with Kawhi Leonard's decision to join the Clippers as well. Together, George and Leonard make the Clips the likely favorite to win the NBA title in 2019-20. For now, the all-around duo joins coach Doc Rivers and a very strong supporting cast of Clippers. That scream heard in the background is longtime Clippers fan Billy Crystal's reaction to the news.

What does it give the Oklahoma City Thunder
For Oklahoma City, it is now back to the drawing board. Clearly, they felt they could not compete in the Western Conference if Leonard decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers (which was a strong possibility), so they made the move to send George to the Clippers (which changed everything in the NBA because of Leonard's decision to join George. In return, the Thunder receive a massive haul of first-round draft picks, plus Gallinari (a solid combo forward who can shoot the lights out when he is on) and a burgeoning all-around talent in Gilgeous-Alexander. OKC's rebuild should be relatively short and painless as a result of this deal.

Fantasy impact
George had an MVP-worthy campaign with the Thunder last season, so his fantasy stock will not necessarily improve playing next to Leonard in Los Angeles. Still, George remains an elite fantasy stock. Ditto Leonard, who should feel comfortable being back in Southern California. He will be one of the first players taken off the board in most drafts this year. Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander, on the other hand, move from one of the deepest, most unselfish rosters in the league to a team dominated by one player--Russell Westbrook. It remains to be seen how both former Clippers will mesh with the human triple-double, but neither Gallinari nor Gilgeous-Alexander have increased fantasy value after the trade.