According to Oddsmakers, OKC Thunder Has Strong Odds to Sign Paul George Should He Leave Clippers
Could a former Thunder star end up back in Oklahoma City sometime soon?
Oklahoma City is in the midst of an unbelievably successful season. In a year where it felt like the Thunder was playing with house money and no real expectation, it changed in a hurry. The team is battling for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and a first round exit would almost feel disappointing at this point.
It’s hard to even think about the off-season at this point as Oklahoma City is poised to make a big playoff run, but Vegas never sleeps. Predictions are flying around and free agents are looming.
It has been rumored that Paul George and the Clippers aren’t on the same page regarding an extension, and should George choose to leave the Clippers, he would obviously be a highly sought after free agent. If he does opt to leave Los Angeles, a return to his former team would be a pretty funny ending for all the trade comparisons over the last five years.
According to Bovada, Oklahoma City has the fourth best odds to land George if he and the Clippers can’t agree on a contract extension. The Thunder’s odds sit at +1400, behind the Kings, Knicks and 76ers.
George and the Thunder’s front office have a great relationship and lots of respect for one another. It’s no surprise, as the former Thunder star enjoyed his best professional season in Oklahoma City. George found his way into MVP conversations as he averaged 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He formed a dynamic duo with Russell Westbrook, although the pair couldn’t make it out of the first round.
George was traded in a massive package that featured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a record number of draft picks. One of those picks turned into Jalen Williams, making it a pretty solid deal for Oklahoma City. Because of the blockbuster trade, it would be a pretty funny outcome for all the discourse to end. There’s been plenty said about which team won the trade between the Clippers and the Thunder, and George returning to his former team would be fitting.
In all reality, it feels like the most probable out coming is George working something out with the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard recently re-signed, and it would make sense for the pair to want to stay together.
It’s certainly a fun hypothetical to think about, though.
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