Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals how much he appreciates the freedom the Thunder gave him
· Yahoo Sports
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals how much he appreciates the freedom the Thunder gave him originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit syntagm.co.za for more information.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a fantastic player for the Oklahoma City Thunder ever since he got traded in the summer of 2019. Considering he was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George, he was under some pressure.
He was the heir apparent to Russell Westbrook, but the Thunder made it clear they believed in a young SGA. That paid off because now, Gilgeous-Alexander is a two-time MVP and is the primary reason why they are successful.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows OKC gave him the right opportunities
During his rookie season with the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander showed good potential. He was a natural slasher, as he found ways to get into the paint despite not being the most explosive athlete.
That became the foundation of his game as he utilized his unique play style to become the distinct star he is with the Thunder. He was the centerpiece for OKC's blockbuster trade in 2019, and general manager Sam Presti was correct in asking for him in the trade.
MORE: The reason why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned the 2025-26 MVP
For the past four seasons, SGA has averaged over 30 points per game. That is further proof that he is one of the most special players in the league. He has the freedom to do what he wants, something the Thunder has kept giving him since 2019.
Now, Presti and the Thunder fans are reaping the benefits. They are now the best team in the league, the defending champions, and are odds-on favorites to win even more titles.
"I was scared as heck when I got traded and had to reprove myself to an organization, and just some of that burden being taken off my shoulders was huge. It allowed me to just have fun with the game that I grew up playing with my friends back home," Gilgeous-Alexander said during his 2026 MVP speech.
Gilgeous-Alexander had plenty of rough patches with the Thunder in the early 2020s. However, they have turned it around and have proven to be the best team in the league for the foreseeable future.
More NBA news:
- How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beat MVP rivals Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic for the 2026 award
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's back-to-back MVP wins prove he is arguably the NBA's best player
- How the NBA's balance could shift in the Thunder vs Spurs series in the Western Conference Finals
- Jalen Williams' encouraging update says he will be ready for Game 1 against the Spurs
- Isaiah Hartenstein's special impact on the community