The Oklahoma City Thunder are living in two timelines at once-and thriving in both.
On one hand, they’re defending an NBA championship and eyeing a repeat. On the other, they’re watching the LA Clippers unravel, and with it, their own future get even brighter. Because thanks to one of the most lopsided trades in recent league memory-the 2019 deal that sent Paul George to LA in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a mountain of first-round picks, and more-the Thunder are not only contending now, they’re set up to dominate the next decade too.
It’s the kind of long-term win that front offices dream about.
That trade keeps paying dividends. Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into an MVP winner, the face of a franchise that’s built around youth, chemistry, and a fearless style of play.
Jalen Williams, another rising star, was also part of the treasure trove that came from that deal. And now, with the Clippers spiraling, the Thunder might be on the verge of another windfall.
Here’s why: Oklahoma City owns the Clippers’ 2026 first-round pick. If LA continues to slide-and right now, they’re tied for the third-worst record in the league at 6-20-that pick could land near the top of the lottery. And thanks to a pick swap clause, OKC has a real shot at adding another elite young talent to a team that’s already stacked.
The Clippers’ decline hasn’t just been about injuries or bad luck. It’s been systemic.
The Chris Paul era ended with a thud, and since then, the franchise has struggled to find a consistent identity. The Paul George-Kawhi Leonard experiment hasn’t delivered the championship it was built for.
And now, the Thunder are in prime position to capitalize once again.
One name to watch in the 2026 draft? AJ Dybantsa.
If you follow hoops, you’ve probably seen the highlight reel-Dybantsa dunking with ease, the Gunna track “on one tonight” blaring in the background. It’s become the unofficial soundtrack of Thunder Twitter every time the Clippers lose.
The 18-year-old BYU standout has been a known commodity since high school and is widely expected to be a top-three pick. He’s got the kind of upside that front offices salivate over: elite athleticism, a polished offensive game, and a maturity beyond his years.
And yes, the Thunder are already familiar.
Jalen Williams and Dybantsa were seen chatting earlier this season when OKC visited Utah. Nothing too deep-just a couple of ballplayers talking shop-but in a league where relationships matter, it’s worth noting.
“He's a really good player, obviously. He's cool.
I don't even know how we met the first time,” Williams said. “I know Thunder Twitter and everybody else in the world is going to run with what I say, so I gotta be careful.
Just a good dude. Obviously, Thunder in town.
Everybody knows about the picks and everything going on.”
Williams kept it light, but the subtext is clear: the Thunder know what’s at stake. They’re chasing another title, but they’re also keeping one eye on the lottery. If the Clippers don’t right the ship, OKC could walk into the 2026 NBA Draft with a golden ticket-and the rest of the league will be watching nervously.
“He's a good kid. We were just chopping it up,” Williams added.
“I think they played that day, too. Just talking about the game.
They got to watch us play.”
So here we are: the Thunder are contending now, and potentially adding another top-tier talent in a few months. It’s a rare, almost unfair combination of present dominance and future promise. And if the Clippers keep sliding, Oklahoma City could be looking at another franchise-altering moment come May, when the ping-pong balls start bouncing.
The Thunder already have the hardware. Now they might get the lottery luck to go with it.