Oklahoma City Thunder · Franchise era 5 of 6
Westbrook's triple-double years: the Oklahoma City Thunder story
The story in one sentence
Westbrook answered Durant's departure with a historic MVP season, and George later joined another short-lived contender.
An MVP keeps the arena roaring
Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the sga rebuild becomes a champion.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2016–17
What came before
An unprecedented collection of young talent reached the 2012 Finals and four conference finals before injuries and departures narrowed the window.
- 28TradeJune 23, 2016
June 23, 2016
The draft-night trade whose return eventually became Paul George
The Magic sought a veteran defensive anchor; Oklahoma City used Ibaka's value to get younger and more flexible around Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
To ORL
To OKCDraftPICKround assetSerge Ibaka to OrlandoORL receives Serge IbakaOKC receives Victor Oladipo, Ersan İlyasova, Rights: Domantas Sabonis4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2017
Western Conference First Round: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets
- 06TradeJuly 6, 2017
July 6, 2017
The Paul George trade tree that reached Haliburton
George had told Indiana he would not re-sign after the coming season. The Pacers had to turn a distressed star asset into a new core before losing him for nothing.
To OKC
To INDGeorge → Sabonis → HaliburtonOKC receives Paul GeorgeIND receives Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis3 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade → - 25TradeSeptember 25, 2017
September 25, 2017
The trade that completed Oklahoma City's new star trio
The Thunder tried to place another scorer beside Russell Westbrook and Paul George; the Knicks finally began a post-Anthony reset.
To OKC
To NYK20182NDround assetCarmelo Anthony to OKCOKC receives Carmelo AnthonyNYK receives Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, 2018 Chicago 2nd-round pick4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2018
Western Conference First Round: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Utah Jazz
2019
Western Conference First Round: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Portland Trail Blazers
After 2018–19
What came next
Oklahoma City converted its outgoing stars into a massive asset base, developed an elite young roster and returned to the championship stage.
The core