Veteran bigs brought in to provide size and spacing.
The irony of this trade has become a central narrative. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, once a rookie in Los Angeles, has matured into an MVP-caliber superstar and the face of the Thunder. 2025-2026 Season Dominance Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Clippers
A "unicorn" center providing elite rim protection and floor stretching. Veteran bigs brought in to provide size and spacing
launched a meticulous rebuild, using the acquired assets to develop one of the youngest and most talented rosters in NBA history. To secure Paul George and convince Kawhi Leonard
The modern identity of both teams is inextricably linked to the blockbuster trade in 2019. To secure Paul George and convince Kawhi Leonard to sign, the Clippers sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and a record-breaking haul of draft picks to Oklahoma City. This transaction set the two franchises on divergent paths: