Entering the summer free agency of 2018, Paul George was crippled with rumors of leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder and his pal Russell Westbrook for his home in California. As usual, the Lakers were favorites for many headlining players of free agent classes to come.
It was reported that Westbrook boarded an eight-hour flight from Hawaii back to Oklahoma City to host a party prior to the NBA starting the clock of free agency on Jun. 30, 2018. Despite all the rumors surrounding George, there was PG taking a selfie with Russ both showing off celebratory cigars making his commitment to remain in OKC.
Exactly one year ago, Paul George was traded to the Thunder. One year later, George and OKC are poised to come to terms on the first night of free agency ... before the Lakers even get a meeting with the free agent so many have penciled into purple and gold for ages. #thisleague https://t.co/kOjh6iFpWo
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2018
All smiles and positivity in his welcoming, the time Is now for Russell Westbrook and the Clippers
"““Honestly, man, he’s one of the best human beings I’ve ever been a part of something with. I had a choice and a decision to go anywhere I wanted to in my career and I chose to come back here. I mean, come on, that says a lot on its own, what kind of person Russ is.” – George in his exit interview the following summer of 2019."
Prior to being bought out by the Utah Jazz after Russ’s long-awaited departure from the Lakers via trade, PG was vocal about his desires of Westbrook in red, white and blue.
Paul George has made it very clear in his postgame media session that he wants a point guard on the Clippers, and he wants that point guard to be Russell Westbrook.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 11, 2023
Finished his presser by saying “Hopefully Russ sees this.”
Fresh out of the All-Star break, LAC set it into fruition. Russell Westbrook is the newest Clipper. Reuniting the tandem nearly four years later. This time, close to home.
Despite a loss in his debut in probably the most historic-regular season game one will ever see, Russ was the jolt the organization had been in pursuit of.