The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most disappointing teams through the first 20-ish games of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. After coming into the year hopeful that they could compete in the Western Conference, they are sitting at 5-15, and already 7 games out of a top-6 spot just over a month into the current campaign.
The Paul George Trade Continues To Affect The NBA
And while it may be easy to point and laugh and say, “Same old Clippers”, Los Angeles’ poor play could be back for the league as a whole.
Unless you’re an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, of course.
It all began with the now-infamous Paul George trade. Back in 2019, the Steve Ballmer’s Clippers gave up a king’s ransom in order to acquire someone who was then one of the top players in the league. In exchange for George (and the unattached signing of Kawhi Leonard), the Clippers not only sent future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Oklahoma City, but a bevy of valuable first round draft picks.
The Paul George trade might be the worst trade in NBA history 🫠 pic.twitter.com/W7q0YWrFPr
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 20, 2025
It helped turn the Thunder into what is currently a budding dynasty. With the Clippers’ 2022 pick, they selected Jalen Williams, who was key in bringing the franchise their first championship in Oklahoma City last season and made his first All-Star appearance. They’ve used the assets to draft Tre Mann and Dillon Jones as well, but the most valuable piece may still be yet to come.
OKC Could Have A Top-10 Pick (Or Two) In 2026
Nearly seven years after the initial trade, there is still one last major asset that needs to be conveyed from the Clippers to the Thunder: the 2026 first round pick.
As things stand entering the month of December, the Clippers have the 6th-worst winning percentage in the NBA. That means that if the Draft Lottery were to fall into exact place matching the current standings, they would typically be awarded with the 6th overall pick. Instead, they will send their first rounder in the next draft to Oklahoma City.
The strong would get stronger. The Thunder have been the most dominant team in the league over the last two seasons, including their 20-1 start to the 2025-26 campaign. They are the heavy favorites to repeat as NBA champions in June, and are already showing signs of remaining competitive for years to come.
Thunder’s Budding Dynasty Shows Now Signs Of Slowing
Now, they’ll have a valuable asset in what could very possibly be a top-ten pick in 2026. They’ll be able to add even more young talent to their already young and talented roster, which gives them greater financial flexibility, especially if the player that they select turns into another star in OKC.
Current Standing Of OKC’s 2026 1st Round Draft Picks (Dec. 1st)
- 6th overall (Clippers)
- 9th overall (Jazz)
- 14th overall (76ers)
- 27th overall (Rockets)
That won’t be the end of the first round action for the Thunder. Not even close. They are owed a first round pick from the Utah Jazz, which is top-8 protected, and currently lands at number nine. They have the first selections of the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets, as well, which currently come in at numbers 14 and 27.
OKC could take an even bigger swing by packaging some of those selections. Perhaps the Thunder are interested in bringing in a veteran player via trade before next year’s draft, and they could use their trove of picks as collateral.
That seems unlikely, though. Why bring in another star when the team you have is currently running the league?
