Losing in the first round three seasons in a row sounds like a mythical tale for a squad led by multiple ring holders, but it is the sorrow-filled truth the LA Clippers deal with. They decided to take a shortcut and stack up on superstars, and it returned nothing more than an arrival in the conference finals.
Furthermore, comprehending the last three years brings pain, but what provokes more sadness is where the franchise is now because of their decisions in 2019. They saw a future with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the Clippers and did not think twice about the potential aftermath.
Reexamining the trade, the Thunder received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and more than enough picks to feed Oklahoma City fans for decades. Their front office found their co-pilot to Gilgeous-Alexander in Jalen Williams, a player selected with a pick included in the historic trade.
Conversely, Paul George in an LA uniform did not work, as he was injured quite a bit and left the franchise for maximum check. The Thunder, on the other hand, have developed Gilgeous-Alexander into an MVP Finalist and scoring champion. They were also the first seed this season with a league-high 68 wins.
What are the Clippers left with? A roster in the middle of the pack with limited draft capital, blocking a tanking effort from executive Lawrence Frank.
The LA Clippers are still and will continue to, feel pain from their decision to trade for Paul George in 2019
In the same amount of time, the LA Clippers took to try and win a ring with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Oklahoma City Thunder built a title-contending roster around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder also swept the Memphis Grizzlies and made the second round of the postseason, which must hurt Clipper Nation, given that the Denver Nuggets defeated LA in seven games.
Moreover, the Clippers are stuck among teams that try to compete but lose in the first round. Additionally, they do not have a first-round pick until 2030, which is the main factor holding LA hostage from trying their luck at winning the draft lottery.
That said, the Clippers must be patient for the next four seasons and continue their attempts at winning the NBA Finals. They are still a top destination for stars and free agents, which helps, but they are ultimately in a spot that has no promise.