Paul George’s trade tree now ranks among the NBA’s most chaotic ever

Paul George’s trade tree has exploded into one of the NBA’s most unpredictable paths in league history after a decade of blockbuster deals and franchise-altering swaps.

The tree traces back to the 2017 trade that sent George from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a move that set off a chain reaction of roster reshuffles across the league.

What happened?

On June 30, 2017, the Indiana Pacers sent Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. That single swap sparked a ripple effect that still shapes the NBA today.

The deal came after George’s 2016-17 season ended with a gruesome leg injury in a playoff loss to Cleveland. His recovery and return to form in Oklahoma City redefined his career-and the trade’s fallout.

Why it matters for Paul George

George’s move to OKC in 2017 wasn’t just a career reset. It forced the Pacers to rebuild around Oladipo and Sabonis, who became All-Stars in their own right. For George, the trade unlocked a new era of elite production and playoff runs.

His four seasons in Oklahoma City included two All-NBA nods and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. The trade also set the stage for his eventual free-agency exit to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019.

How the tree grew wild

The 2017 trade wasn’t the end-it was the start. George’s departure from Indiana triggered a Pacers rebuild that led to Sabonis becoming a two-time All-Star in Indiana. Meanwhile, Oladipo’s rise in OKC made him a franchise cornerstone before injuries derailed his trajectory.

Then came George’s 2019 free-agency move to the Clippers. That deal sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to OKC, further twisting the trade tree. The Clippers’ push for a title with George and Kawhi Leonard added another layer to the chaos.

What comes next?

George’s trade tree isn’t frozen. His Clippers tenure has been marked by playoff heartbreak, but his veteran presence keeps L.A. in contention. Any future move-whether a trade or retirement-will ripple through the league again.

The NBA’s trade history is littered with domino effects, but few sequences match the unpredictability of Paul George’s career moves. His path from Indiana to OKC to L.A. remains a case study in how one deal can reshape franchises for years.

The trade tree’s wildest branches aren’t done growing yet.