



Billy Donovan says he doesn’t know how the Paul George trade request came down. “I wasn’t privy to that,” Donovan said.

But Donovan was clued in by Sam Presti that the Thunder world had been flipped upside down, eventually resulting in both George and Russell Westbrook being traded. And the overnight of July 4-5-6, when George was dealt to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and five – five! -- first-round draft picks was momentous for Donovan. And not just because of the trade.

I chatted with Donovan last week and wrote for the Monday Oklahoman about his reactions to the Thunder upheaval. You can read that column here.