Well even then I think people knew Shai was a promising player and played a big part in the clippers making the playoffs. Danilo Gallinari was also pretty good. So it didn't feel like the clippers were giving up nothing but Paul George was coming off of an MVP candidate season and without PG13 there was no signing Kawhi. So, yeah the trade looked good for the Clippers at the time seeing as we thought they still had depth in players like Lou Williams and Harrell so it didn't feel like losing Shai and Danilo was some massive blow.
Brandon Roy