Trading for Paul George was a huge moment in franchise history.
When Kevin Durant left, the OKC Thunder were left at a crossroads. After a year of Russell Westbrook having to carry the franchise on his back single-handedly, Sam Presti was ready to go for it again.
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He was ready to pair another star with Russell Westbrook.
Paul George wanted out of Indiana, and with a clear destination in mind: The Los Angeles Lakers, his hometown team were going to be big players in the following offseason’s free agency including a play for LeBron James, they eventually landed.
The Thunder were not even rumored to be in the running for Paul George. When fans made wacky ESPN Trade Machine ideas for the All-Star, they were laughed at and at the time it seemed rightfully so.
That was until July 1st, 2017.
Sam Presti dealt rising star Victor Oladipo and youngster Domantas Sabonis who showed a ton of potential in his time in Oklahoma City to the Indiana Pacers for then four-time All-Star Paul George.
The Cavaliers, Celtics, and Rockets were teams rumored to nab George, but in the end, it was Sam Presti that stole George away in the middle of the night.
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