The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for a massive haul in 2019 that keeps benefitting OKC. The defending champions will get a lottery selection in 2026 and have a 1.5 percent chance of landing the number one overall pick on May 10. Oklahoma City built their current core off this trade. It brought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to the Thunder, and it just keeps on giving.
Things never worked out for the Clippers. LA gave up a gigantic haul because they knew trading for George meant signing Kawhi Leonard in free agency. They dreamed of securing multiple championships, but only managed to win three playoff series before PG left to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency in 2024.
Instead, this trade built a dynasty in Oklahoma City. It wasn’t just SGA and J-Dub. The Thunder will get their sixth draft choice from this deal in 2026 and have used the pieces to build out their roster. The full details make it arguably the best trade in NBA history, and that was a fact before this latest pick.
Thunder got another lottery pick from the Paul George trade
The Clippers lost in the Play-In Tournament, which put Oklahoma City in the lottery. This pick is unprotected, so the Thunder get it no matter what happens. The Phoenix Suns victory on Friday night locked the Thunder at 12th overall heading into the lottery. They have a 7.2 percent chance of moving up into the top four on lottery night, and a 86.1 percent chance of selecting 12th.
Here is a look at the full trade details as they stand today.
Sam Presti flipped Danilo Gallinari for the draft pick that turned into Brooks Barnhizer. He traded Tre Mann in the failed Gordon Hayward deal and turned the future Jaime Jaquez Jr. pick into Thomas Sorber. The Thunder have more coming as Presti sent out the Clifford pick for a 2027 first-rounder.
To get two superstars for one was a massive win for OKC. The fact that they keep flipping the assets into valuable pieces is what makes Presti the best GM in the NBA.
Thunder fans will be dreaming of landing AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson with this pick, but it is most likely to stick at 12th overall. This is a loaded draft class, so even the worst-case scenario opens the door to taking another impact role player. Fans know Presti and the front office will nail this pick, and the Thunder will have another first-rounder from the 76ers to use in June.
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off the greatest trade in NBA history by sending Paul George to the Clippers. They got back arguably the two best players, including the eventual MVP. It was a masterstroke by Sam Presti that was only possible after he traded for PG and convinced him to extend.
The Thunder won this from every angle, and it will only get better with this 2026 lottery pick. Adding another talented young player to OKC’s loaded roster will only make the rest of the NBA dread facing the Thunder even more. Presti is building a dynasty that is just getting started. Credit the Paul George trade for making it possible, and the best is yet to come.
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