Did the Clippers Just Make the Worst Trade in NBA History? How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Turning the Paul George Deal Into a Cautionary Tale
LOS ANGELES, CA — What once seemed like a bold win-now gamble for the Los Angeles Clippers is now being reexamined as one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history — and it’s all thanks to the meteoric rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With SGA now an NBA MVP, Finals MVP finalist, and the face of a surging Oklahoma City Thunder team, fans and analysts alike are beginning to ask:
Did the Clippers give up a generational talent — and the future — just for a shot at “Podcast P”?
Let’s rewind.
🔁 The Trade That Changed Everything
In the summer of 2019, the Clippers were in full “championship or bust” mode. After acquiring Kawhi Leonard in free agency, they pulled off a blockbuster deal to bring in Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The price?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (then a 21-year-old rising guard)
Danilo Gallinari
Five first-round picks
Two pick swaps
It was one of the most expensive trades in NBA history, and the message was clear: the Clippers were going all-in.
⚡ Enter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: From Promising Guard to Certified Superstar
Since that trade, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into one of the league’s premier players:
2025 NBA Most Valuable Player
All-NBA First Team
Western Conference Finals MVP
Leading the Thunder to the NBA Finals and possibly a championship
SGA averaged 31.2 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 2.1 SPG this season — all while emerging as a mature, unshakeable leader of one of the league’s youngest rosters. His blend of poise, pace, and playmaking has drawn comparisons to legends like Dwyane Wade, Manu Ginóbili, and even Michael Jordan in terms of midrange control and clutch efficiency.
“We knew he had potential,” said Thunder GM Sam Presti, “but Shai exceeded even our highest expectations.”
📉 Meanwhile in L.A.: Did the Clippers Overpay for Paul George?
Let’s be clear: Paul George is a talented All-Star. But since joining the Clippers:
He’s battled injuries nearly every season
The Clippers have failed to reach the NBA Finals
He’s averaged strong but inconsistent playoff performances
And as of summer 2025, George has not committed long-term
Worse, the Clippers’ draft cupboard remains nearly empty due to the trade — and now they’re staring down the possibility of watching both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George walk away in free agency with no championship to show for it.
And in hindsight? They gave up a player who’s now leading his own franchise to the promised land.
🗣️ NBA Fans React: “They Traded an MVP for Podcast P”
Social media hasn’t held back:
@NBAtruth: “Shai is what the Clippers hoped PG would be. They traded away the future for a podcast.”
@ThunderUpEra: “OKC fleeced the Clippers and built a dynasty. That trade should be studied.”
@OldManAnd3: “SGA might be the most underappreciated MVP in years. Dude is HIM.”
With Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise and the Thunder’s title window just opening, many fans believe we’re watching a new Western Conference powerhouse being born — from the very deal that was supposed to end their rebuild.
📉 Clippers’ Window Closing?
As the Clippers prepare for yet another offseason of uncertainty, one thing is clear: the gamble hasn’t paid off. Injuries, chemistry issues, and aging stars have kept the team from reaching the heights it was built for.
Meanwhile, OKC, armed with young stars like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and a treasure trove of remaining draft picks, is built for sustained success — all thanks to the trade that sent SGA their way.
“This trade might go down with the Nets-Celtics KG/Pierce deal as one of the most lopsided in NBA history,” said ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
🏁 Final Word: A Trade That Defines an Era
In sports, blockbuster trades always carry risk. But this one? It’s now bordering on historic miscalculation.
The Clippers mortgaged their future for a title run that never materialized. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is turning into the kind of player you build a franchise around — not trade away.
And the verdict is becoming clearer by the day:
The Thunder won the deal.
The Clippers lost a dynasty.
And Shai is just getting started.
