What happened: Oklahoma City sent Serge Ibaka to Orlando on June 23, 2016, receiving Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis. A year later, the Thunder packaged Oladipo and Sabonis for Paul George, then moved George in July 2019 for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks and two swap rights.

Why it matters: The sequence converted one veteran forward into the centerpiece and draft capital for Oklahoma City’s rebuild. Gilgeous-Alexander became the 2025-26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year.

What to watch: The 2026-27 season will further measure the longevity of the core built from that asset chain.