Paul George going to playoffs with 76ers as Clippers lose another lotto pick to Thunder from trade is pure pain

The Los Angeles Clippers saw their 2025-26 season come to an end Tuesday night with a 126-121 Play-In Tournament loss to the Golden State Warriors, a result that not only eliminated them from the playoffs but also intensified scrutiny surrounding the franchise’s long-term decisions.

As Los Angeles exited the postseason picture, Paul George secured a playoff berth with the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Clippers simultaneously forfeited another lottery pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the blockbuster 2019 trade that reshaped both franchises.

The Clippers’ acquisition of George in the summer of 2019 came at a steep cost. In order to pair him with Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, multiple first-round picks and several pick swaps to Oklahoma City. The deal included unprotected selections in 2022, 2024 and 2026, along with additional draft assets that have continued to impact the franchise’s flexibility.

That trade remains one of the most consequential in recent NBA history. While it elevated the Clippers into immediate contention, it also tied their future draft capital to Oklahoma City, a reality that has become increasingly significant as the Thunder have emerged as a dominant force in the Western Conference.

During the Leonard-George era, Los Angeles experienced flashes of success but fell short of championship expectations. The team notably blew a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets in the 2020 Western Conference semifinals. In 2021, the Clippers reached their first Western Conference Finals, with George taking on a leading role as Leonard was sidelined due to injury, before losing to the Phoenix Suns.

Paul George’s 76ers success contrasts Clippers’ ongoing trade fallout with Thunder