Let's start with three sets of data:
Group 1: George is averaging 22 per game this season8 points 57 rebounds and 42 assists 17 steals PK Alexander 307 points 58 rebounds and 63 assists 28 steals.
Group 2: George is 1-5 behind Alexander.
Group 3: Since Cacho teamed up, the Clippers have not made the playoffs in 21-22 and have reached the Western Conference finals in 20-21. The Thunder, on the other hand, only made the playoffs in the 19-20 season and have not made it in the last three seasons.
From the above comparison, we can see who made and who lost in the Clippers and Thunder trade?
Back in the 2019 offseason, the Clippers sent Alexander, Gallinari, four unprotected first-round picks, a lotto-protected first-round pick and two draft trade rights to Paul George from the Thunder.
In the 2018-2019 season, George played in 77 games for the Thunder, averaging 28 points per game2 rebounds and 41 assist 22 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 38 from three-point range6%。Compared to Alexander, it was his rookie season at the time, and he averaged 10 per game8 points 28 rebounds 33 assists 12 steals and 47 percent from the field6% and 36 percent from three-point range7%。
At that time, General George was in the top five in the league in the small forward position, and he integrated offense and defense, and his style of play was perfectly adapted to the small-ball era. At that time, the transaction was definitely not a loss, and George was selected by Leonard, and if there was no George, Xiaoka would not have come. Alexander, despite his outstanding talent, is only a rookie after all, which is not in line with the Clippers' philosophy of wanting to win a championship quickly. And the Thunder had already decided to rebuild at that time, so they focused on cultivating him, which made Alexandria what it is today.
Although the Clippers have not won the championship in recent years, George is still the top star in the league, and Harden is here again this year, and the Clippers are the favorites to win the championship in the new season.
Alexander ushered in a big explosion this season, combining offense and defense, leading the young Thunder to become a dark horse in the West, and currently has a high record in the second place in the West.
In short, I think the Clippers and Thunder trade was a win-win: first, the deal was in line with the team-building philosophy of both sides. The Clippers want to make a quick run at the championship, so he'll need instant power. And the Thunder belong to a rebuilding team and need superstars. Second, George and Leonard are currently working together tacitly, and with Harden, the Clippers are expected to challenge for a championship this season. The Thunder have found the core of the team and have made a difference this season. Third, consider business value. George's arrival has put the Clippers in the spotlight of the league and brought a lot of commercial value to the Clippers.
So, what do you think?Don't look at it from an afterthought.