Gilbert Arenas and Shannon Sharpe were discussing the fates of the OKC Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers four-and-a-half years removed from the trade that sent the Clippers’ future draft assets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Thunder for Paul George.
Sharpe claimed the Clippers needed to do that to land Kawhi Leonard, prompting Gilbert Arenas to say that Shai might be better than both PG and Kawhi at this point.
(Starts at 12:24)
“To be honest he might be a better player than both of them. You know it could go either way right now. I won’t debate you on that. It could go either way, but he’s steady. He’s humble, he trains. Every summer he comes back having added something to his game. The Clippers will always kick themselves in the butt when they look at the trades they made versus what they have right now.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD4HxokjPYM
Shannon seemed to agree with Arenas, but it’s clear that both were cautious about definitively saying Shai is better than both Kawhi and PG. Even though Shai outperformed the pair individually last season and is on an MVP trajectory this season, the experience and playoff resumes of both Kawhi and PG cannot be forgotten until we see what superstar Shai can achieve in the postseason.
This season, SGA is averaging 31.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists, contending for the MVP in one of the most intense MVP races in recent memory. The Thunder are the No. 2 seed in the West amidst Shai’s brilliance.
The Clippers, on the other hand, are currently the No. 4 seed, rebounding from a slow start to the James Harden era. Kawhi is averaging 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while George is averaging 22.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
Should The Clippers Regret The Paul George Trade?
Much has been made about the OKC-Clippers trade from 2019, with some calling it one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history. The Thunder not only received a player like Shai who has fulfilled his potential as one of the best guards in the NBA, they also received a treasure trove of draft picks. Drafting with Clipper picks landed the Thunder players like Jalen Williams. who’s integral to the Thunder’s winning plans.
The Clippers became the most relevant franchise in the NBA when the PG trade paired him up with Leonard. Unfortunately, failing to win the title in 2020 cast a shadow over the franchise they haven’t been able to shake. Injuries have ruined almost every season, and the Clippers haven’t made it past the Western Conference Finals. That’s the furthest they’ve ever gotten in franchise history, so it’s hard to say they didn’t progress.
The deal looks bad in hindsight but could still be redeemed if the Clippers somehow win a title. Adding James Harden this season was a clear win-now move, as the franchise isn’t done committing to the core they assembled by letting Shai go. If they don’t win it this year, it’s likely the Thunder leave them in the dust while still controlling a couple of future Clippers picks and contending further up the table from them. It’s already happening.
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