Indiana vs OKC sees Paul George trades as link to both teams
The Indiana vs OKC series sees the Paul George as the common link to both teams making the NBA Finals this year.
Visit Sportsmania for more NBA Finals 2025 news and other basketball updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
INDIANA VS OKC FINALS SEES GEORGE TRADES AS LINK TO BOTH TEAMS
The Indiana vs OKC NBA Finals sees the George trades as the common link to both teams reaching the biggest stage after several years of waiting.
Furthermore, George, incidentally played for both teams and was also dealt that eventually led them to this year’s championship round.
Moreover, the All-Star forward was picked No10 overall by Indiana in the 2010 NBA Draft.
George initially wanted to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
But the Pacers instead dealt him to the Thunder on July 6, 2017, for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
A merry-go-round of trades that involved Oladipo to Houston and a second round pick led Indiana to acquire Pascal Siakam, the Eastern Conference finals MVP.
SMART DRAFTING LED FIRST, SECOND ROUND PICKS TO NAB NEMBHARD, SHEPPARD
Smart drafting by Indiana from the Caris LeVert trade to Cleveland for a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 first rounder and a 2027 second-rounder led to better things,
Moreover, the Pacers used those picks to get Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard, two key players in Indiana’s Eastern Conference title roster.
Furthermore, Sabonis then was traded by the Pacers to the Sacramento Kings for Tyrese Haiburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson.
Indiana later dealt Hield to Philadelphia at the 2024 trade deadline for two second-round picks.
The first pick they traded again and turned that selection into Johnny Furphy.
In retrospect, Indiana dealt George to get Haliburton, Siakam, Nembhard, Sheppard, and Furphy.
All of them are key players for the Pacers this season.
HOW OKC TURNED GEORGE TO NAB SGA, WILLIAMS
How OKC turned George to nab reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Jalen Williams may be a stuff of luck or great timing.
Furthermore, the Thunder sent George – who played for OKC for two years – in July 2019 – to the Los Angeles Clippers for SGA, Danilo Gallinari and the rights to several first-rounders.
Moreover, one of those picks – the No.12 pick in 2022 – turned out to be Williams.
Williams is currently an All-Star forward for OKC.
Regardless of what happens to OKC in this year’s finals, they still own Nos. 15, 24, and 44 in June.
This came as a result of the George deal.
The Thunder open the 2025 NBA Finals in Game 1 on Friday against the visiting Pacers.
OKC is a -700 series favorite.
Indiana is a+500 underdog, with OKC a 9-point favorite in Game 1.
