The Paul George Trade and the Birth of a Potential NBA Dynasty
The Paul George trade created one of the NBA's best duos and birthed a potential NBA dynasty.
The Clippers' Blockbuster Trade
On July 10, 2019, the LA Clippers made a blockbuster trade by acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This move instantly made the Clippers a legitimate contender in the NBA, but it came at a steep cost. The package dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder included a historic haul of draft capital and promising young guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Coach Doc Rivers had the difficult task of calling Gilgeous-Alexander to inform him of the trade. While Gilgeous-Alexander understood the reasons behind the trade, it still bothered him because he felt like he was being traded away for someone else to win a title.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's potential, Thunder GM Sam Presti insisted on including him in the trade. Gilgeous-Alexander had played a significant role on the Clippers as a rookie and Rivers believed he had star potential. However, George was a superstar in his prime and the trade couldn't happen without including Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander's Rise
Since the trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the NBA's leading MVP candidates in his fifth season with the Thunder. He has become a key player on a young and talented Thunder team that is vying for a top seed in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Clippers have yet to fully capitalize on the trade, struggling to advance to the NBA Finals due to injuries. The Thunder, on the other hand, have benefited from the trade with Gilgeous-Alexander's rise to stardom.
Gilgeous-Alexander used the trade as motivation to become an even better player and has exceeded expectations. He has emerged as one of the league's top scorers and has elevated his game to an MVP-caliber level.
The Thunder's Future
With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, the Thunder are in a prime position for long-term success. The team has a deep roster and a stockpile of first-round draft picks, thanks to the Paul George trade.
While the Clippers' window for championship contention remains open, the Thunder's future looks bright. They have the potential to become a perennial title contender with their young core and flexibility provided by the draft picks they acquired in the trade.
Overall, the Paul George trade has been a success for both the Clippers and the Thunder. While the Clippers aimed to win a championship with the trade, the Thunder have built a foundation for future success with Gilgeous-Alexander and their draft assets.
