Doc Rivers: "I Wasn't So Sure" About Trading Gilgeous-Alexander For Paul George

Doc Rivers, now more than a couple of years away from his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, has revealed a bit of hesitancy that he had at the time of the 2019 trade that sent now-breakthrough superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George.

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... 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.

                                                                                                    —Doc Rivers 

Hindsight is 20-20 of course, and it's easy for Rivers to say that now, but SGA has exploded into one of the best players in the league this season, averaging 30.8 points, 5.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and a block per game, while shooting 50% from the field and 91% from the line. 

Rivers stepped down from the Clippers a year after that trade was made, and he was only able to win one playoff round in two seasons with the Paul George (and sometimes Kawhi Leonard) team. 

Nevertheless, it's always fun to see what Doc will say next to raise eyebrows. 

Photo: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports