(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Not so long ago, the Los Angeles Clippers didn’t hesitate to pull off a big trade to land Paul George.
That was a no-brainer move back then, but looking back, it’s hard not to feel sad about watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go.
Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as one of the best two-way players in the league, and he’s been available way more often than both Kawhi Leonard and George.
In a recent appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” former Clippers guard Lou Williams tipped his hat to Shai, talking about how he and his teammates were “heartbroken” to see him go (via Basketball on X).
Lou Williams on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
“We were heartbroken when he got traded. Absolutely, we were crushed. Even though it was for Paul George. We knew who PG was, but he had time and energy into his development.”
[via @RunItBackFDTV ] pic.twitter.com/x80Mo62i2q
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) October 23, 2023
When asked whether he always knew that Shai was going to be this good, the legendary sixth man didn’t hesitate to say yes, stating that he and other veterans made sure to get involved in his development and get him extra shots and pointers because he was so open to learning and so determined to be great.
Williams stated that, even though they knew who George was and it was obviously a huge move for them, they didn’t want to see Shai go.
Fast-forward to today, and SGA has established himself as a franchise player and one of the rising stars of the game, all while the Clippers have yet to make it to the NBA Finals.
But that’s just the way things go in this business sometimes, and you have to take risks to score big.
The post Former Clippers Star Comments On Fateful Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Trade appeared first on The Cold Wire.