Paul George Traded, Reshaping Thunder Franchise
Paul George was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, a move that significantly reshaped the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise. On July 2019, the deal was completed, with George joining the Clippers and the Thunder receiving four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-rounder, and two pick swaps.
The Thunder received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari in the trade, as well as several draft picks. The picks included the Clippers' 2022, 2024, and 2026 first-round picks, and the Heat's 2021 and 2023 first-round picks.
The trade has worked out extremely well for the Thunder, with Gilgeous-Alexander blossoming into a two-time MVP and top-3 player in the NBA. He has been the best player on the best team in the NBA and still has several years left in his prime.
The trade marked a significant turning point for the Thunder franchise, which had been struggling to find its footing after the departure of Kevin Durant. The acquisition of Gilgeous-Alexander and the draft picks has given the team a strong foundation for the future.
In the 2021 NBA Draft, the Thunder used the Heat's pick to select Tre Mann, who was later traded to the Hornets for Gordon Hayward. Hayward averaged 5.3 points in 26 games with the Thunder before retiring.
The Thunder's selection of Aday Mara in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft marked the near completion of the Paul George trade. The team has made significant progress in rebuilding its roster and is poised for success in the coming years.
The trade has been a clear win for the Thunder, with Gilgeous-Alexander and the draft picks providing a strong foundation for the team's future. The team's ability to rebuild and compete at a high level is a testament to the savvy front office moves made by the organization.
Gallinari put up one solid year of production with the Thunder before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks for a conditional 2025 second-round pick. The Thunder used their own first-round pick to take Chet Holmgren at No. 2 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
The team used the pick acquired from the Clippers to select Jalen Williams, who has developed into an All-Star player and a tremendous second banana behind Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams nearly won the Rookie of the Year award in his first season and has continued to improve his game.
The Thunder did not swap the Clippers' 2023 first-round pick, rendering that irrelevant to the George trade. The Heat's 2023 first-round pick was later amended, and the Thunder has made significant progress in rebuilding its roster.
The Paul George trade will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the Thunder's franchise history, marking a significant turning point in the team's rebuild. The acquisition of Gilgeous-Alexander and the draft picks has given the team a strong foundation for the future, and the team is poised for success in the coming years.
On Tuesday, the Thunder selected Aday Mara in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, marking the near completion of the Paul George trade. The team has made significant progress in rebuilding its roster and is poised for success in the coming years.