The 2025 NBA Finals can be referred to as the Paul George Bowl, and it's not just because George suited up for both the Pacers and Thunder.
George, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, spent the first seven seasons of his career in Indiana before he was traded to Oklahoma City. After two seasons with the Thunder, George was traded to the Clippers, with whom he spent five seasons before leaving for the 76ers in 2024.
Both trades involving George led to Indiana and OKC landing their star players, indirectly and directly. While the Pacers' trade involving George was a precursor to a later trade that brought in Tyrese Haliburton, Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a key asset in the trade that sent George to the Clippers.
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Here is more on the respective deals and a look back at how things have played out for all parties involved.
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When did Paul George leave the Pacers?
George left the Pacers during the 2017 offseason. Indiana decided to move on from George before he entered a contract year. With his free agency a year away, George indicated he would play out the 2017-18 season with the Pacers before eying a move to sign with the Lakers.
Paul George Pacers trade details
The Pacers agreed to trade George to the Thunder on June 30, 2017. In return, Indiana netted Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. While Oladipo was dealt in a four-team deal in 2021, the 2022 deal that sent Sabonis to the Kings marked the beginning of Haliburton's tenure in Indiana.
Pacers receive
- Victor Oladipo
- Domantas Sabonis
Thunder receive
- Paul George
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When did Paul George leave the Thunder?
George left the Thunder during the 2019 offseason. The move came one year after he re-signed with OKC to handle "Unfinished business" alongside Russell Westbrook. George was traded to the Clippers to team up with fellow Los Angeles-area native Kawhi Leonard.
Paul George Thunder trade details
After 2019 free agency got underway, the Thunder agreed to send George to the Clippers. In return, Oklahoma City received Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and a bevy of draft picks, four of which have been conveyed.
Thunder receive
- Danilo Gallinari
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- 2021 first-round pick (used to select Tre Mann)
- 2022 first-round pick (used to select Jalen Williams)
- 2023 first-round pick (did not convey)
- 2024 first-round pick (used to select Dillon Jones)
- 2025 first-round pick swap
Clippers receive
- Paul George
Tyrese Haliburton stats compared to Paul George
Here is how the first two and a half seasons of Haliburton's Pacers tenure compare to the first seven seasons of George's career.
| Stat | Haliburton | George |
| Seasons | 2022-25 | 2010-17 |
| Games | 224 | 448 |
| Points per game | 19.5 | 18.1 |
| Rebounds per game | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| Assists per game | 10.1 | 3.2 |
| Steals per game | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| Blocks per game | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| FG% | 48.2 | 43.2 |
| 3P% | 38.6 | 37.0 |
| FT% | 85.7 | 85.0 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats compared to Paul George
Her is how Gilgeous-Alexander's six seasons in OKC compare to George's two-year run with the Thunder.
| Stat | Gilgeous-Alexander | George |
| Seasons | 2019-25 | 2017-19 |
| Games | 380 | 156 |
| Points per game | 27.4 | 25.0 |
| Rebounds per game | 5.2 | 6.9 |
| Assists per game | 5.5 | 3.7 |
| Steals per game | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Blocks per game | 0.9 | 0.5 |
| FG% | 50.3 | 43.4 |
| 3P% | 35.4 | 39.2 |
| FT% | 86.5 | 83.2 |
Did Paul George retire?
George did not retire.
The 2024-25 season was the first of a four-year, $212 million deal George signed with the 76ers. He was limited to 41 games due to various injuries and was officially shut down for the season due to adductor and knee injuries on March 17, 2025.
Paul George NBA career timeline
George has played for four teams through the first 15 years of his career. He spent the majority of his time with the Pacers and Clippers.
| Team | Seasons |
| Pacers | 2010-17 |
| Thunder | 2017-19 |
| Clippers | 2019-2024 |
| 76ers | 2024-Present |
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