Why does Thunder have Clippers' 2026 NBA Draft first-round pick?
The Clippers are finally getting past the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade.
The Los Angeles Clippers can soon put the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade in the rearview mirror. With the Clippers' 2026 NBA Draft pick heading to the Oklahoma City Thunder , Los Angeles won't owe anything more to OKC in the infamous Paul George deal. In 2019, the Clippers gave up SGA, Danilo Gallinari and five first-round picks to acquire a then 29-year-old Paul George and pair him with Kawhi Leonard.
It never worked out for George and Leonard in L. A. They reached the 2021 Western Conference Finals and couldn't got out of the first round the following three seasons.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, helped develop SGA into a MVP and won an NBA title. They're well on their way to the Western Conference Finals, plus their 2026 lottery pick from the Clippers has the 12th best odds at No. 1.
Sam Presti has built a special young nucleus in Oklahoma City. It'll grow again this summer thanks to the Clippers. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why does Thunder have Clippers' 2026 NBA Draft first-round pick?