The NBA Finals for 2025 will feature an exciting match-up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, two teams that have built strong rosters in recent years. Remarkably, their success is intricately linked to one player: Paul George.
Journey to the Finals: The Paul George Connection
As the central figure in this year’s Finals, Paul George’s career took a turbulent turn after a disappointing season with the Philadelphia 76ers, marred by injuries and losses. Initially aiming for a championship, hopes dwindled, leaving George in danger of retiring without ever having reached the NBA Finals.
Despite this setback, George can take solace in his unintentional role in bolstering the two teams competing for the championship: the Thunder and the Pacers.
Back in 2017, George was the star player for the Pacers. With only one year left on his contract and growing rumors of a move to free agency—especially towards the Los Angeles Lakers—the Pacers opted to trade him. Seizing the opportunity, Thunder General Manager Sam Presti orchestrated a deal that brought George to Oklahoma City in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
This trade was beneficial for both teams; the Pacers acquired a promising Oladipo, who would become an All-Star, and Sabonis, who showed great potential. Under Oladipo’s leadership, Indiana improved to a competitive 48-win season, even challenging the LeBron James-led Cavaliers in the first round of the 2018 playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Thunder’s investment in George paid off when he had a standout season in 2018-19, landing in the MVP conversation. Shortly after acquiring him, Oklahoma City signed him to a four-year, $137 million extension, a decision that would become pivotal for their future.
Shaping Teams Through Trades
In 2019, the Thunder traded George to the Los Angeles Clippers, receiving a package that included rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and several draft picks. This deal would lay the groundwork for Oklahoma City’s future success.
Conversely, the Pacers utilized the assets from trading George wisely. They later exchanged Sabonis for star guard Tyrese Haliburton, setting a new trajectory for the team. Haliburton quickly became the centerpiece of the Pacers’ rebuild.
As the NBA landscape evolved, the significance of these trades became clear. The 2022 trade deadline saw the Pacers acknowledging their struggles and opting for a fresh start, leading to the acquisition of Haliburton and solidifying their prospects for the future.
Ultimately, the legacies of these trades have culminated in the 2025 NBA Finals featuring the Pacers and the Thunder. Indiana is now led by All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, while Oklahoma City boasts the 2025 NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Thanks to Paul George’s pivotal trades, both franchises found success that has brought them to this championship moment.
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