8 points, 9 seconds
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8p9s Roundtable: New team, who dis? Paul George returns to Victor Oladipo’s city

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers before the game against the New York Knicks on December 4, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers before the game against the New York Knicks on December 4, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on November 27, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Leading up to tonight’s game, who won the trade?

Furr: As of right this second, the Pacers won the trade. That would’ve been nearly unfathomable at the time it happened, but that’s where things stand.

Oladipo is outplaying Paul George as a direct comparison. Domantas Sabonis has looked to be far more than a throw in, and is reminding people that he was literally just the 11th pick in the 2016 draft — the same slot Myles Turner was drafted a year earlier. The Pacers — a team many predicted for ~30 wins — are 5th in the East at 16-11, while the “Title Contender” Thunder with their riches of Russ, PG, and Carmelo Anthony languish in 9th place in the ultra talented West at 12-14.

The Pacers are making a mockery of the Oklahoma City Police Department’s tongue in cheek tweet about the reported “Theft” of Paul George.

Hughes: It’s still too early to tell in my opinion. As of today, the Pacers have gotten more production from their return. The Thunder have struggled with their Big 3 of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George, but there is still tremendous upside with this team. If they can figure out how to balance things out offensively, they are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.

If this is the new reality for Oladipo, though, I think Indiana will win this deal.

Kaspar: It has to be Indiana. I want to be objective and consider George’s stacked resume in comparison to Oladipo’s and Sabonis’ but its fruitless so long as PG’s long-term status is unclear. If I were asked the same question in June, then I would have said OKC won the trade.

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Bubble Watch: Can Victor Oladipo Make the 2023-24 OKC Thunder roster? /

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    • However, it is clear that Kevin Pritchard is some houdini mastermind when it comes to basketball. Pritchard pulled a rabbit out of his hat and created a talented young core of Oladipo, Turner, and Sabonis out of thin air. Not even the most optimistic Pacers fan could have predicted Oladipo producing at an all-star level. Moreover, Domas has been sneaky good for Indiana. Kevin Pritchard won the Victor Oladipo trade.

    East: It’s a tie. I still think the Thunder won this season, because Paul friggin’ George. But in terms of total value, having Oladipo for (at least) 4 more years including this one and Sabonis (at least) 3 means in terms of total value you are getting close to a win.

    If you operate the assumption that Paul George was going to leave, then the Pacers won, but I don’t like to make assumptions in choosing trade winners.

    Matthes: It leans toward Indy because the Pacers got the young players that are under team control, and are kinda excellent. But I think it’s a little unfair to lambast OKC over it. There’s a great change Oladipo never would have blossomed while he was in OKC, and the Thunder’s boldness should be applauded. Bonus loser of this trade: Orlando, remember they traded Dipo and Sabonis to OKC too. So at least OKC has company.

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