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NBA Trade Grades: Thunder scoop Paul George from Pacers

By Gerald Bourguet

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Grades
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 06: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

In a stunning move, the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded for Indiana Pacers superstar Paul George. Here are NBA Trade Grades for both sides.

The madness of 2017 NBA free agency has officially set in, and it didn’t even wait until the 12:01 a.m. ET start time.

In a shocking move out of left field, the Oklahoma City Thunder have reportedly agreed to a trade for superstar wing Paul George and will send Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Indiana Pacers in return.

ESPN‘s Ramona Shelburne first reported that George had been traded to OKC, while USA TODAY‘s Sam Amick added that Oladipo and Sabonis would be part of the deal. ESPN‘s Royce Young confirmed that no draft picks would be a part of the exchange.

This is not the first blockbuster of the last month, but it certainly is the most unexpected. After watching Russell Westbrook accept his MVP honors less than a week ago, general manager Sam Presti wasted little time getting his franchise player the accompanying star talent he needs to build on an unforgettable season.

Less than two weeks ago, The Vertical‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that George had informed the Pacers he would not re-sign with the team next summer when he could become a free agent, preferring to join his hometown Los Angeles Lakers at his first opportunity.

Knowing they had to trade him now or lose him for nothing in one year’s time, the Pacers fielded offers from multiple teams, including the asset-laden Boston Celtics. The offers weren’t as great as Indiana’s front office hoped, mostly because of the threat of PG-13 being a one-year rental with his interest in the Lakers being well known.

The question is, was OKC’s sacrifice worth a potential one-year rental for Paul George? And how did the Pacers make out under those high-pressure circumstances? To sort it all out, here are NBA Trade Grades for both sides…along with two indirectly associated parties.

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