6 Oklahoma City Thunder players who turned their back on the franchise

No. 3: Paul George

For the first time since moving to Oklahoma City, the Thunder were able to log a significant free agency "win" in the summer of 2018 when All-NBA wing Paul George elected to stay in OKC and signed a four-year contract in free agency.

George was traded to the Thunder a year prior and seemed to gel with both co-star Russell Westbrook and the organization. Even so, it was a surprise when George chose to stay with the Thunder rather than jump ship and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. The fact that he chose Oklahoma City seemed like a sign the two sides would be together for a very long time.

That lasted all of one year until Paul George requested a trade out of town, desiring a team-up with Kawhi Leonard in his hometown of Los Angeles. While he and his agent tried to lean into the narrative of "going home" it felt to Thunder fans that he was leaving his home to chase success elsewhere.

George hasn't found that success, either, as injuries and circumstances have kept the Los Angeles Clippers from making it to the NBA Finals and often from making the playoffs altogether over the past four seasons. It's unlikely the Thunder would have won a title if he had stayed, but the grass wasn't much greener, either.