The Oklahoma City Thunder's trade of Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019 fundamentally reshaped their franchise. After George expressed dissatisfaction with the team, he was traded in exchange for a significant package, including young talent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and several first-round draft picks. Following the recent selection of Aday Mara in the 2026 NBA Draft, the impact of this trade is clearer than ever, as the Thunder have effectively leveraged the acquired assets into a promising future, most notably through the development of Gilgeous-Alexander into an elite player.

By the Numbers
  • Paul George was traded for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and a total of four unprotected first-round picks.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has transformed into a two-time MVP and top-3 player in the NBA.
State of Play
  • The Thunder retained key players from the George trade, including Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
  • The future of the Thunder is tied to the development of younger players drafted from the George trade, including Thomas Sorber and Aday Mara.
What's Next

As the Thunder continue to build around their core, expectations are high for young talents to emerge as key contributors. The decision-making around the remaining draft picks could further influence their roster strength in the coming seasons. Should their younger assets mature successfully, they can pose a serious challenge in the Western Conference.

Bottom Line

The Paul George trade has overwhelmingly become a win for the Thunder, establishing them as a competitive force for years to come. With Gilgeous-Alexander as their franchise player, along with a wealth of future assets, the franchise's trajectory has shifted positively. The impact of this trade will be felt in the NBA landscape for the foreseeable future.