11 best OKC Thunder acquisitions in franchise 11-year history

OKC Thunder acquires Paul George:

Looking back at this trade it is hard not to be baffled at the fact the Pacers received zero draft picks for Paul George. There was a huge possibility this would end up being a one year rental for OKC. However, it still seems like they should’ve been able to get some draft picks. Instead, the Pacers received two players with potential but they’ve yet to show signs of being anywhere close to George’s value.

This trade did end up working out pretty good for both sides, however. The following season Victor Oladipo finally had his breakout season. Domantas Sabonis steadily improved as well, becoming one of the Pacers better players coming off the bench. Draft pick or not it ended up being a pretty good trade for the Pacers, especially considering they had been informed they had no chance of re-signing George. Better to get something rather than let him walk for free.

The Thunder were the real winners of the trade. Yes, Oladipo broke out as the leagues’ Most Improved Player the following year to go along with an All-Star appearance and making All-NBA third team. Even with Sabonis’ improvements they still don’t quite match George’s value. In his second season in OKC, George produced an All-NBA first team season along with being first-team All-Defense, leading the league in steals, and finishing in the top three in both the MVP vote and the defensive player of the year vote.

Not only did George have a great couple years in OKC, but his value was really displayed in his departure. So remember this trade to compare what OKC got in return for George versus what they gave up for him.