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Doc Rivers Admits He Was Not So Sure About Trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander For Paul George In 2019
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been on an absolute tear this season, averaging 30.8 points (career-high), 4.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game on 49.9% shooting from the field. He has taken a massive leap, and that has put the league on notice.
Amid his incredible season, basketball pundits have started to revisit the blockbuster trade in 2019 that featured the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the pieces that came to the OKC Thunder while the franchise sent Paul George to Los Angeles in replace.
On Saturday, former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, who had an influence in the blockbuster trade, now looked back on coaching Gilgeous-Alexander and admitted that he wasn’t so sure about trading him to the Thunder back then.
Per USA Today:
“One of my favorite guys,” Rivers said of Canadian hooper. “Reminds me a lot of Tyrese [Maxey] just as far as his approach. He’s one of those young guys in his rookie year that you couldn’t coach enough. That loved being coached, overworked and stood for everything that’s good in the game. I say the same thing about Tyrese. I’ve had several those (type of players) but (Gilgeous-Alexander) stands out.
Quiet demeanor but tough, and you knew this was coming. At least I did. I believe that. The day we decided to make that move when I was in L.A., I was not so sure about it — even though what we did was phenomenal, too. I kept thinking this kid’s gonna be special, and I’m really happy that he is because he’s a good kid.”
