Back in 2019, the Los Angeles Clippers made a franchise-defining gamble. They sent a promising young guard named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with Danilo Gallinari and a massive haul of draft capital-five first-round picks and the rights to two more-to Oklahoma City in exchange for Paul George. It was a bold move aimed at winning now, pairing George with Kawhi Leonard in what was supposed to be a championship-ready duo.
Fast forward to today, and that trade looks a whole lot different in the rearview mirror.
On Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander once again reminded the basketball world-and perhaps especially the Clippers-of what they gave up. The 27-year-old point guard made NBA history, becoming the first at his position to record the most games in a single season with 30-plus points and zero turnovers.
That’s right-he’s putting up elite scoring numbers while taking care of the ball like a seasoned floor general. That kind of efficiency isn’t just rare; it’s historic.
Against the backdrop of that performance, it’s hard not to reflect on how far Gilgeous-Alexander has come since his rookie season in Los Angeles. At the time, he showed flashes of potential, but the Clippers were in full win-now mode. They saw an opportunity to land a star in George and took it, believing the pairing with Leonard would vault them into title contention.
But while the Thunder were patient, building around Gilgeous-Alexander and letting him grow into his game, the Clippers never quite reached the heights they envisioned. George spent five seasons in L.A., delivering strong individual performances but falling short of the postseason success the franchise craved. Now, he’s no longer with the team-and the Clippers are left without the star they traded for or the one they traded away.
Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander helped lead the Thunder to their first-ever championship in 2025 and has blossomed into one of the league’s premier players. A four-time All-Star and now a certified MVP candidate, he’s not just good-he’s reshaping what we expect from a modern point guard.
The Clippers’ decision made sense at the time, at least on paper. They were aiming for a title window and believed George was the piece that could get them there. But hindsight is undefeated, and the reality is clear: they let a superstar walk out the door before he had a chance to fully bloom.
Now, every time Gilgeous-Alexander steps on the court and delivers another masterclass-like his latest 30-point, zero-turnover gem-it serves as a reminder of what could have been in Los Angeles.