Seven years later, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still enjoying the fruits of a blockbuster deal. They can link their one NBA championship and current contending window to one move — the 2019 Paul George trade. Or more appropriately, the move that landed them Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Stuck with an expensive and mediocre roster, the LA Clippers bailed out the Thunder. Thanks to Kawhi Leonard's ultimatum, OKC was able to execute one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history. Basketball's version of the Herschel Walker trade.
The Thunder sent the Clippers George — who was fresh off a top-three MVP finish. In return, they received Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and most of LA's draft capital in the 2020s. Fast-forward to the present day, the seismic
move paid off dividends for OKC as it has one ring and could add more.
Not only did the Thunder land two-time MVP Gilgeous-Alexander from the trade, but one of the draft picks turned out to be All-NBA talent Jalen Williams. Other players from the package include Thomas Sorber and Aday Mara. And with 2027 first-round swap rights still on the way, we're still seeing the final details of the megadeal play out nearly a decade later.
Because of that, it shouldn't be a shocker to see ESPN's Kendrick Perkins include the Gilgeous-Alexander trade as one of the five most absurd trades in NBA history. He dropped his list on the 'NBA Today' program. He placed it at No. 5. The other ahead were — in reverse order — Moses Malone to the Philadelphia 76ers; the Boston Celtics' trade back to add Jayson Tatum; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers; and Luka Doncic to the same franchise.
“This is a prime example of why you shouldn’t listen to your players," Perkins said. Referring to Leonard advocating for the Clippers to go all-out to acquire George. LA went on to make its first-ever Western Conference Finals, but that was the peak of the duo's time together. Injuries and short playoff trips plagued that era of basketball for them.
Such a sick twist in NBA life. You put all your chips on the table to win an NBA championship in the 2020s — just to see the team who owned your future draft capital accomplish that goal before you within the same window. Not only that, but Gilgeous-Alexander went on to have a better career than both Leonard and George. And his best years are being played out in OKC.
The only disagreement is that the Gilgeous-Alexander trade should be a little higher than where it's ranked in Perkins' list. Especially since it's resulted in two MVP trophies and a championship ring. With room to add more in the coming years.
Kendrick Perkins has the 2019 Paul George for SGA blockbuster as one of the most absurd trades in NBA history:
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 3, 2026
“This is a prime example of why you shouldn’t listen to your players.”
Referring to the ultimatum Kawhi Leonard gave the Clippers to land George or miss out on him pic.twitter.com/cS3pNNW8kc
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: ESPN personality calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade 1 of the most lopsided ever
