Paul George’s journey through the NBA has been marked by remarkable achievements, intense rivalries, and significant trades that have shaped his career and the teams he has played for. The Indiana Pacers selected George with the 10th overall pick in 2010. He blossomed into one of the most electrifying and dynamic wings in the league almost overnight. His ascent coincided with fierce battles against LeBron James, where he showcased his talents as Indiana’s star player during thrilling playoff encounters against James’s Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers from the early to mid-2010s.
By the end of the 2017 season, it was clear that George was itching for a change. But more than anything, he had an itch to get out of Indiana. That ambition would lead to a major, career-altering trade. After the 2017 postseason, the Pacers sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Little did anybody know at the time, but this move foreshadowed the beginning of an incredible new chapter for both George and the franchise.
At the time of this trade, Kawhi Leonard was fresh off winning the Finals MVP trophy. This crowning accomplishment cemented his legacy as one of the five best players to ever play in the NBA. At the time, the Los Angeles Clippers recognized that George had Hall-of-Fame level potential. Unsurprisingly, they sent a huge trade package to Oklahoma City to get his skills. This trade proved to be the best representation of George’s real worth. It triggered a sequence of events that would eventually impact over a dozen teams across the league.
Paul George – 9 ☼ PG has only made an All-Star team eight times, but his resume is incredible. He was voted to the All-NBA six times. His honors underscore a class act player who has been playing at an elite level for years. Most consider these accomplishments to set him on a path toward the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Despite these successes, one glaring omission from George’s resume remains: an NBA championship title.
In recent developments, Paul George finds himself with the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that has aspirations of contending for a championship. As he begins this next chapter, he finds himself in a bittersweet situation. Meanwhile, his most recent former team, the Indiana Pacers, are primed to take flight. They would allow him to take the championship ring command he has constantly chased. This possible ending has a way of emphasizing just how winding and difficult a path George has taken through the league.
The trade that sent George to Oklahoma City ended up altering the course of his career. It equally had the biggest effect on the Pacers. The flip side of the deal that eventually opened the door for Indiana to select Tyrese Haliburton in 2022, a selection that has completely rejuvenated their roster. This series of trades paved the way for the Thunder to draft All-Star forward Jalen Williams. He was drafted with the Clippers’ first-round pick in 2022.
Paul George is here for one overriding reason—he’s tired of waiting and wants to win an NBA championship. Sooner or later, he’ll have to reconcile himself to seeing one of his previous teams succeeding with his absence. The path he has taken, marked by trials and triumphs, reflects not only his personal ambitions but highlights the interconnectedness of team dynamics within the league.
