The trade that built a champion
Oklahoma City sends Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and a historic haul of first-round picks and swaps.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Danilo Gallinari
- 5 first-round picks
- 2 pick swaps
- Paul George
Before & After
OKC also traded Russell Westbrook to Houston days later for Chris Paul and more picks, completing a full reset around a 21-year-old guard.
Grade the Trade
Trade Tree
How the Trade Aged
- Trade night (2019)Original snapshotOKCC+LACA-
Sample snapshot: widely framed as a win-now coup for LA and a reset for OKC.
- One year laterOKCB+LACB
SGA's leap and OKC's surprise playoff run; LAC exits in the second round from a 3-1 lead.
- Three years laterOKCA-LACC+
LAC's 2022 pick becomes Jalen Williams. George's tenure is marked by injuries.
- Retrospective (2025)OKCA+LACD
SGA wins MVP and the Finals; Jalen Williams is an All-Star. The trade anchors a title.
Discussion
Presti didn't just win the trade. He won the next decade.
Kawhi doesn't sign without George. That has to count for something.
The swaps were the sneaky part. Optionality is an asset.
Nobody knew SGA would become this. Grading on outcome isn't fair to LA.