The trade that shocked the NBA is now a resounding success. Oklahoma City dominates, while LA grapples with a changing narrative.
Anytime the Oklahoma City Thunder and LA Clippers play, there will always be a reoccurring subplot lurking beneath the game itself. That story has many characters, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Sam Presti, Steve Ballmer, Jalen Williams, Danilo Gallinari, Tre Mann, Thomas Sorber and two yet to be determined players.
Back on July 10, 2019, NBA fans all across the world experienced a simultaneous shock when the "Woj bomb" hit their phones. The former ESPN NBA insider's Tweet read, "Oklahoma City is trading All-Star Paul George to the LA Clippers for a record-setting collection of draft choices, league sources tell ESPN." Gilgeous-Alexander's name did not even make the initial news drop.
At the time, the consensus was clear. The Clippers were clear winners, as teaming up George with Kawhi Leonard would make them instant annual title favorites. The Thunder were headed towards cellar dweller irrelevancy, as trading George also implied local living legend Russell Westbrook would be soon next.
"I would be lying to you if I tell you I don't get up to play the Clippers every time. For obvious reasons," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said in Netflix's Starting 5. "I wanted to make sure Oklahoma City felt like when it was all said and done that they won the trade. So it might have looked one way at the time, but that was my main focus. To try and flip the script."
Don't worry, Shai. The script has been flipped and the book is closed, locked and put up on the bookshelf. Oklahoma City won the trade... and continues to win with each passing NBA Draft.
To be fair, the Clippers did reach the Western Conference Finals in 2021. That's the most successful postseason run in franchise history.
But of course, the Thunder won the NBA Championship in 2025. Gilgeous-Alexander became an NBA MVP. Jalen Williams became an All-NBA player. And three of the players OKC received or will receive from the trade have yet to play.
Oklahoma City's haul from the Clippers after all post-trade moves include Gilgeous-Alexander, Gallinari, Mann, Williams, Sorber, a Dallas Mavericks unprotected 2028 1st round pick swap and the Los Angeles Clippers unprotected 2026 1st round pick.
It's that last to be determined player that has the NBA world buzzing. The Clippers are currently 6-21. They have lost 5 straight games. Their next four opponents are the Lakers, Rockets, Blazers and Pistons. There's a world where the Thunder win 70+ games and receive a top 5 pick in a loaded draft.
How's that for a subplot?