It is no secret that the OKC Thunder have built their budding dynasty on the back of their now-famous 2019 trade with the LA Clippers, where they shipped Paul George out to Los Angeles and received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and a slew of future draft picks in return, one of which turned into All-Star Jalen Williams.
As the final draft pick included in the deal approach, many thought Oklahoma City would have a 2026 lottery selection fall into their lap. The thought of Sam Presti picking up yet another future star with the unprotected first-rounder has sent shivers down the spines of many front offices around the league.
Recently, however, it seems as though the Clippers are hell-bent on preventing that from happening.
Once thought to be a lock to miss the playoffs, the Clippers have rallied around the return of their star forward, Kawhi Leonard. After starting the season 7-21, they have won 12 of their last 15 games, positioning themselves as the current last seed in the Play-In Tournament.
Though they still own the 11th-worst record in the league and, if the season were to end today, would presumably enter the lottery, their resurgence has sparked talk of becoming buyers at the deadline to make a push for the playoffs.
How much of that is a realistic belief in their competitiveness as opposed to a desperate yearning to prove the NBA world wrong about their lopsided trade is still up for debate?
Thunder may be disappointed by their draft stock this year
Though they still have a ways to go, the Clippers' path to relevancy isn't as far-fetched as it may seem.
Los Angeles has endured the eighth-toughest strength of schedule so far this year. They have an immediate chance to win their next three games, as they face a banged-up Lakers team, the Nets, and the Jazz, which would bring their record to 22-24.
With the injury-prone Trail Blazers set to face three competitive teams out of the East and the Warriors losing Jimmy Butler for the rest of the season, the Clippers have a legitimate shot at leapfrogging two spots within the week.
If they do in fact make a move for another piece before the trade deadline, it would put them in a position to play their way into a top-six seed in the West.
The rich Thunder getting richer likely makes the rest of the league sick
While there is still much basketball to be played, it's likely the rest of the league will be rooting for the Clippers to play their way into playoff contention. Outside of OKC fans, the last thing anybody wants to see is this Thunder team getting even better next year.
Playing them has already proven to be an insurmountable task for many, and the Thunder picking up even more top-tier talent would retool their roster to potentially be even better next year.
With a few of their previously drafted assets already set to join them in 2026-2027, the league will likely be watching closely to see if the Clippers make a legitimate push to ruin the Thunder's offseason fantasies.