Re-grading the OKC Thunder Paul George trade – one season later
On the one-year anniversary T.I. re-grades the OKC Thunder deal that sent Paul George to the Clippers.
On July 6th, 2019 the OKC Thunder sent disgruntled superstar Paul George to the LA Clippers. In hindsight, the deal might go down in history as the largest trade haul for one player in the history of the NBA.
George had just re-signed with OKC on a four-year deal the offseason prior citing his desire to play with Russell Westbrook and finish what they started. The two-way star was coming off his best individual season ever. Although he didn’t win any hardware George was a finalist for both Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
However, in his second year with the Thunder, the end result was precisely the same as the franchise was knocked out in the first round for the third consecutive season. To add insult to injury it was George who guarded Damian Lillard on (up until the Eastern Conference semi-finals) the shot of the 2019 postseason. As Dame raised his hand in George’s face that wave goodbye marked the moment that version of the Thunder was laid to rest. Two months and 13 days later Paul George was headed to LA.
With an ever-changing storyline, all courtesy of PG, his trade demand falls into the category of — which came first the chicken or the egg? The Fresno State alum has served up so many variations of what happened when it happened and how it happened it’s impossible to decipher which of his accounts is the truth. But that’s a story for another day.
What OKC Thunder got in return for Paul George:
In review, the package Sam Presti negotiated in return for Paul George is unprecedented. The closest comparison is Anthony Davis who’ll enter free agency this offseason although he’s expected to sign on the dotted line with the Lakers.
The Clippers landed Paul George and eventually succumbed to Sam Presti’s hard stance for five draft picks, two draft swaps, a young supposedly untouchable cornerstone talent, and a savvy veteran sniper. Laying out the specifics of the deal remember the Clippers elected to view this trade as the price of landing two superstars.
To Clippers:
- Paul George (and the insurance necessary for Kawhi Leonard to sign as a free agent)
To OKC Thunder:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Danilo Gallinari
- Miami Heat 2021 unprotected first-round draft pick
- Clippers 2022 unprotected first-round draft pick
- Miami Heat 2023 protected 1 through 14 first-round draft pick
- Right to swap 2023 first-round pick with Clippers
- Clippers 2024 unprotected first-round draft pick
- Right to swap 2025 first-round pick with Clippers
- Clippers 2026 unprotected first-round draft pick
Notably, just from this one trade, the Thunder have a minimum of an extra draft pick or swap for six of the next seven years.
With that, let’s dive deeper into the trade in terms of how the teams are faring one season in. Clearly, until the bevy of draft picks is conveyed or traded for other assets a final grade isn’t possible, however, we’ll grade the teams based on what we know as of today.