The forged link and round bottom drag conveyor paddle assembly and method of making same provide for use of a hollow sleeve for engaging link ends together and engaging round bottom drag conveyor paddles to the link through engagement of a suitable connector through the round bottom drag conveyor paddles and the sleeve to make the round bottom drag conveyor paddles easily replaceable. As an alternative embodiment a solid sleeve incorporating threaded ends is also proposed for use in engaging round bottom drag conveyor paddles to a forged link.