Kawhi Leonard Expresses Disappointment Over Paul George Trade Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has reacted with disappointment to the news of Paul George’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. “It’s definitely tough to lose a player of Paul’s caliber,” Leonard said after the Clippers’ practice on Thursday. “We’ve been through a lot together, and he was a big part of our success. I wish him all the best in Philadelphia.” George, who had played alongside Leonard in Los Angeles for the past four seasons, was traded to the 76ers in a blockbuster deal on Wednesday. The move reunites George with his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Joel Embiid. Leonard admitted that he was surprised by the trade, but said he understood that it was a basketball decision. “The front office made a decision that they thought was best for the team,” Leonard said. “I respect their decision, and I’m focused on moving forward. We have a lot of talent on this team, and I’m confident that we can continue to be successful.” The Clippers are now without their two All-Stars, but Leonard said he believes the team can still compete for a championship. “We have a lot of depth and experience on this roster,” Leonard said. “We’re not going to make any excuses. We’re going to come out every night and compete hard.” The Clippers will open their season on October 20 against the Los Angeles Lakers.Ivica Zubac Reacts to Paul George’s Departure to the Philadelphia 76ersIvica Zubac Reacts to Paul George’s Departure to the Philadelphia 76ers On Monday evening, news broke that Paul George was joining the Philadelphia 76ers during the preseason. The announcement came as a surprise; none of the LA Clippers’ core members had commented on the move until Tuesday. During a media conference, Ivica Zubac, who recently played for Croatia over the summer, responded to the departure of his former teammate in a somber tone. “He’s a great friend. We played together for five seasons,” Zubac stated. “It’s definitely tough to see him go. He was an important piece. It’s going to be hard to replicate that for us.” Zubac acknowledged the business aspect of basketball and the decision being in George’s best interest. “We’ll miss him a lot, but we signed some new players,” Zubac added. “We’ll work with what we already have, and I’m sure we’re going to have a great season.” Despite the loss of George, the LA Clippers acquired some competitive pieces. However, with the team’s two best players reaching an older age, the need for a third star becomes more critical as injuries accumulate.Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has reacted to the news that his teammate Paul George has been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. In a statement released through his agent, Leonard said: “I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent playing with Paul. He’s a great player and a good friend. I wish him all the best in Philadelphia.” George was traded to the 76ers in a blockbuster deal that also involved Tobias Harris and a number of draft picks. The move reunites George with James Harden, his former teammate with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Leonard and George formed a formidable duo for the Clippers, leading the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2021. However, injuries have limited their time on the court together, and the Clippers have struggled to maintain their success this season. The trade of George is a significant blow to the Clippers, who are now left with Leonard as their only true star player. It remains to be seen how the team will adjust to George’s departure, but Leonard’s statement suggests that he is still committed to the Clippers and believes they can be successful without George.