This ‘epic’ trade rocked the NBA. Now it could turn into an unthinkable disaster

Three years on from the Paul George commerce and there’s a severe query to be posed – was it one of many largest overpays in NBA historical past?

Take a deep breath earlier than you learn this one.

The Clippers despatched out an unprecedented haul to amass George to hitch forces with Kawhi Leonard and type a brand new tremendous workforce in LA:

-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

-Danilo Gallinari

-Five first-round draft picks (4 unprotected)

-Rights to swap two different first spherical picks

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The historic commerce shocked the NBA world given Leonard, who was a free agent on the time, was anticipated to both re-sign with the Toronto Raptors or workforce up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, and George had penned a four-year extension with the Thunder the yr prior.

But behind the scenes, Leonard had plotted for the Clippers to poach George to play alongside him. So it’s necessary to notice that it was a double coup, and with out buying and selling for George, they probably wouldn’t have gotten Leonard.

After the extraordinary swap, veteran NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith labelled it a “power move of epic proportions” from the Clippers.

In truth, the transfer was so very radical that NBA celebrity Damian Lillard didn’t consider what he was listening to.

“I didn’t believe it at first when my cousin told me,” NBA celebrity Damian Lillard mentioned on ESPN on the time.

“Then he followed with ‘and Kawhi is going there too.’ I was like, ‘that’s not true.’ I didn’t believe it.”

Of course, hindsight is an excellent factor, and it did come throughout a shift within the NBA’s commerce panorama when groups began sending out inordinate packages of draft picks to get superstars.

But three years on, the commerce is wanting worse and worse for the Clippers.

Let’s unpack this one some extra…

The undeniable fact that Gilgeous-Alexander, who was coming off a promising 2018/2019 rookie season, was concerned within the deal is what actually makes it onerous studying for Clippers followers.

You might now genuinely argue Gilgeous-Alexander is a greater participant than George alone amid a spectacular season from the Thunder guard as arguably probably the most promising participant within the NBA to construct a workforce round.

He’s averaged 31.1 factors per recreation, 4.7 rebounds, six assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks whereas taking pictures an insanely environment friendly 50 per cent from the sector and 92 per cent from the road by the primary quarter of the season to emerge as a real All-Star and All-NBA calibre of participant.

If the Thunder had gained a couple of extra video games, the Canadian would even be up there within the MVP dialogue. Of course, Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant particular person play carried OKC to a number of wins early within the season.

It’s the kind of quantum leap we’ve seen from the likes of Ja Morant, Jayston Tatum and Luka Doncic in current occasions – going from a star to a bona fide celebrity.

There’d been some discuss the Thunder might look to commerce Gilgeous-Alexander and even some rumblings he’d been getting pissed off with enjoying for the rebuilding workforce.

However the 24-year previous’s surge to superstardom would absolutely now not have OKC entertaining such a transfer and consolidates him as its franchise cornerstone to construct round, the place he’s contracted till 2027 after final yr signing a five-year, $172 million rookie extension (that may change into a $207 million deal if he makes an All-NBA workforce).

And so it makes the Thunder – underneath the lead of Gilgeous-Alexander and with extra improvement from the likes of Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren and the eventual addition of extra expertise – one of the vital promising groups within the league with arguably the brightest future.

And that is earlier than you add the barrage of draft picks that would flip into something or be used as commerce capital.

OKC additionally bought excessive on George at arguably the very best time, with the star ahead coming off a career-best season when he completed third within the MVP for the Thunder enjoying alongside Russell Westbrook, who was additionally traded away from the franchise per week later, and Carmelo Anthony.

It was clear that the Westbrook-led iteration of the Thunder had reached its ceiling after three-straight first spherical playoff exits, and they also acquired most worth for his or her superstars – dealing Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, two first-round picks and two choose swaps.

That was some kind of loopy NBA low season.

With Gilgeous-Alexander and having already used two of their first founders from the George commerce on promising children Tre Mann and Jalen Williams – and proudly owning picks from the Clippers till 2026 – the Thunder can be extraordinarily happy with the way it panned out.

Looking again, it’s really outstanding how one participant can internet a franchise such an enormous return, and there’s actually solely a handful of stars that may’ve justified the worth it paid.

Now, this isn’t a knock on George, as he’s nonetheless clearly a celebrity of the league. But it merely highlights the hazard of going all in on a celebrity.

Notwithstanding what the Clippers gave up, their fortunes merely haven’t justified the daring transfer.

At the time, as Stephen A. Smith declared, it was a commerce that was tipped to raise the Clippers to being the highest canine within the NBA that might win a number of championships, whereas additionally marking a key shift within the energy dynamics in LA regardless of the Lakers pairing James and Davis.

However the Clippers have made only one convention finals look in the course of the Leonard-George period, which the previous didn’t even play in what’s been a largely underachieving period to date.

You’d hope that such a transfer would, on the very least, get you into the NBA finals, or constantly shut sufficient to.

It’s this lack of success – or something near it – that’s the important thing think about why the George commerce has backfired so badly contemplating they mortgaged their future in a bid to contend in a significant approach.

As harsh as it’s given you possibly can’t foresee accidents, the shortage of availability from the Clippers’ celebrity duo has been the overriding roadblock to success.

Leonard’s damage points have been properly famous because the extra plagued of the 2 in current occasions together with enjoying simply 5 video games this season (of a attainable (24) as a result of a setback in his return from a torn ACL.

One of the premier stars within the league whose absence has been sorely felt, having a wholesome Leonard has the potential to ascend this workforce to the place everybody anticipated it’d be.

Unfortunately although, we don’t know if we’ll ever see a completely up and operating Leonard once more.

George in the meantime hasn’t precisely been a mannequin of sturdiness both.

He’s solely performed 48 (of 72), 54 (of 72) and 31 (of 82) video games respectively over his first three seasons on the Clippers (133 of a attainable 226 in whole [58 per cent]) as a result of ongoing setbacks. Even this marketing campaign he’s been restricted to 16 appearances as a result of extra damage points.

It’s hamstrung George – once more, whereas nonetheless a celebrity – to getting again to his dominant heights at OKC.

Of the three seasons Leonard and George have been on the roster, solely as soon as have they each been obtainable for a complete playoffs marketing campaign collectively of their first season – and infrequently do issues click on for even the best of groups straight.

The favourites to come back out of the West this season given Leonard’s return, we in the end simply haven’t been in a position to see the Clippers’ full potential as constructed.

They presently sit seventh within the logjam of playoff contenders within the West at a respectful 13-11 regardless of having no Leonard for basically the entire season, so it’s scary to suppose how good they might be at full energy with some continuity.

But the season has the potential to slide away from the Clippers in the event that they don’t constantly get their celebrity duo on the courtroom.

With that, you would argue it’s too early to retrospectively assess the commerce and contend that any franchise within the Clippers’ place in 2019 would’ve accomplished the identical factor. And each of these are in all probability true.

However as every passing day, month and season goes by, the Clippers’ championship window closes that little bit extra.

Leonard (31 years previous) and George (32) – each contracted till the 2024/25 season – are approaching their twilight years, and to better concern, neither can keep wholesome.

The Thunder clearly have the brighter way forward for the 2 groups, and you would even argue OKC is in a greater place as of proper now.

Who is aware of – possibly Leonard comes again match and he and George assist ship the Clippers their inaugural NBA championship over the subsequent three years – maybe even his yr – or at the very least lead the franchise to the NBA Finals.

Time continues to be on their facet.

However as issues stand, the George commerce was the boldest of win-now gambles that hasn’t paid off and even gotten them near a championship.

On the opposite hand, the Thunder have the NBA’s latest celebrity and are sitting on a mountain of draft picks.