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#1 Paul George
Back in 2017, the Oklahoma City Thunder managed to convince Russell Westbrook to sign the biggest guaranteed contract in NBA history. The Thunder's ability to retain Westbrook was applauded around the league, although the franchise managed to outdo themselves a year later.
In the same summer that Westbrook signed his extension in Oklahoma City, Paul George turned down his own extension offer from the Indiana Pacers. The All-Star made it clear that he wanted to return to his native California in 2018, so the Pacers opted to trade him to the Thunder.
The deal was expected to be a one-year rental before he joined forces with LeBron James, although the Thunder shocked the NBA once again, and convinced George to stay in Oklahoma City. While George's four-year, $137 million contract may not appear to be among the better deals in the NBA, it holds the priceless value of allowing the Thunder to compete during Russell Westbrook's remaining peak years.
