Before the 2024/25 NBA season started, many people made their predictions as to who would be the top teams in their respective conferences. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have lived up to those expectations so far while the Philadelphia 76ers have been very disappointing in the East.
It was thought that Paul George would be the missing key to help the Sixers get over the playoff hump. However, the only team George continuously seems to help out is the Thunder, despite it being five years since he last played for the franchise.
PG to LA trade has aged like fine wine... for OKC
Back in the summer of 2019, the OKC Thunder and Paul George mutually parted ways as the nine-time All-Star wanted to join forces with Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.
In that trade package, OKC received Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2021 first-round pick (Tre Mann), 2022 first-round pick (Jalen Williams), 2023 first-round pick (Jaime Jaquez Jr.), 2023 first-round pick swap, 2024 first-round draft pick (Dillon Jones), 2025 first-round pick swap, 2026 first-round pick.
Obviously that trade benefited the Thunder greatly as SGA has turned into one of the top players in the league and JDub has shown he has what it takes to be an All-Star. Moreover, those players helped OKC become the youngest one seed in NBA history last season.
However, the major pick to keep an eye out for this season is the 2025 first-round pick swap. In order for the 76ers to get Paul George this year, the Clippers had to include that 2025 pick.
That exact pick is currently owned by OKC and is 1-6 protected. More specifically, if that draft pick falls anywhere between one through six, the Sixers own the pick; anything seven and after would convey to the Thunder.
MORE: Former NBA All-Star believes current Thunder team is better than the 2012/13 OKC roster
With the Sixers having a current record of 3-13 and sitting second to last in the East, that 2025 pick has a great chance at falling in a top lottery spot if Philly keeps up their poor performance.
For Loud City, this is massive news. Not only are the Thunder heavy favorites to represent the West in the NBA Finals, but they could go into the 2025 Draft as a top team in the league with extremely high draft picks, which are usually held by bad teams.
Whether OKC would want to use that pick to add to their already super young and successful roster or trade it for other assets, it is safe to say a dynasty will be in the making if that Sixers pick falls to the Thunder (and that's all without mentioning the Jazz and Clippers 2025 picks).
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