There are a litany of NBA trades which will be remembered forever. The Thunder has now been a central figure in two, with the reputation of the second one yet to be determined.

The first deal, the trade of James Harden in 2012, has already been panned as a Thunder failure. Despite the Thunder trading Harden then going on to a 60-win season and two more Western Conference finals appearances, to many, the team’s success is negated by an empty trophy case. What could redeem it was the return, a trade package which today only has Steven Adams to show for it.

The second deal, Paul George to the Clippers, resulted in the single-largest trade haul for any team in NBA history. What happens next is what’s most important. The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets know all too well.

The trade of Paul George is the Thunder assuming the role of the Celtics from 2013, with the Clippers playing the Nets. It's a case of mortgaging a stagnant present for the chance at a promising future.