How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Incredible Feats Are Turning the Clippers’ Biggest Trade Regret Into a Nightmare

There was a moment that felt electric — as if the NBA universe itself had shifted on its axis. The Los Angeles Clippers, a franchise long dogged by missteps and bad luck, pulled off a stunning coup that left the basketball world reeling. In a swift, decisive sweep, they outmaneuvered their storied rivals, the Lakers, not by signing just one, but by landing two bona fide superstars: Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. It was hailed as a game-changing moment, the kind folks circle on the calendar and recall with awe — yet, fast forward six years, and that blockbuster trade story morphed into something far more bittersweet.

What initially felt like a bold power play morphed into a cautionary tale. The Clippers, despite investing close to $400 million in George and Leonard, never clinched the championship glory that might have justified the steep cost. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the unsuspecting beneficiaries of players and draft picks given away in that deal, blossomed into a powerhouse. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as an NBA MVP candidate, and young draft pick Jalen Williams quickly carved out his place as a rising star — all while the Clippers grappled with injuries, free agency departures, and the haunting question: what if?

This is a story not just of trades and contracts, but a tale of dreams deferred and futures reshaped. It’s about how a single transaction can echo for years, influencing franchises’ fortunes in unforeseen ways. And with the NBA Finals now heating up, the legacy of that deal still looms large, a complex shadow over both teams’ quests for glory and redemption. LEARN MORE

The Clippers can only do the same.AdvertisementRead more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it

Read more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it

Read more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it

Read more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it

Read more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it

Read more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.George left as a free agent in last offseason, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Leonard has played in only 266 of 472 games with the Clippers because of injuries. The Clippers paid George 5.9 million and have paid Leonard 4.6 million — with Leonard under contract for another two years and 0.3 million.Next is closing out the Finals and delivering a title to Oklahoma City — something that has proven elusive for the Clippers, the oldest franchise in North American professional sports to have never played in a championship game.AdvertisementAdvertisement