As it turns out, all you needed to do to reach the 2025 NBA Finals was trade Paul George. Remarkably, this year's Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers and Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder were both built from assets each team received in exchange for dealing George.

The Pacers and Thunder each built their NBA Finals roster thanks to trading Paul George. George was an awesome player in Indiana and then Oklahoma City, but trading him was the best move the Pacers and Thunder ever made.

The 2025 NBA Finals matchup is set, as the Indiana Pacers will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder with Game 1 tipping off on June 5. Both teams are battle-tested and will now face off against each other with the chance of being crowned champions.