Limited Clippers Championship Window Makes Thunder Haul for Paul George Even Greater

If the NBA season started today, the Los Angeles Clippers would be considered among the favorites to win the title with the addition of Kawhi Leonard in free agency and the acquisition of Paul George from Oklahoma City.

You don't add these two without having championship aspirations, immediately. That's definitely the case since Leonard signed only a two-year deal with an option for a third.

The Kawhi Leonard surprises don't stop. In the end he chose to sign just a two-year deal with the Clippers with a player option for Year 3 ... sacrificing even more guaranteed money and putting him on the exact same track as Paul George
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 10, 2019

That means Leonard and George are only guaranteed to be in a Clippers uniform for two years, making this a short window to win a title. So, not only should they be among the favorites, they need to win big at least one time in these next couple years, especially since Los Angeles gave up the biggest haul we've ever seen to get PG.

Last point on Kawhi Leonard's contract: It makes the haul that the Clippers traded away for Paul George -- already the biggest for any one player in league history -- even bigger when they have their new superstar duo only locked in for two years #thisinsaneleague
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 10, 2019

Seven draft picks were involved in this trade, including two pick swaps, on top of veteran forward Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

If you win a championship, it's totally worth it. But, this is as short of a title window as you'll see, and if they don't accomplish what they are setting out to do, then this trade could set them back for many years.

Remember that Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics trade? Yeah, this could be worse.