Oct 17, 2019 5 min read Analysis

Say Hey to Shai: What Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Means to the Thunder

The Daily Thunder Yearbook (sneak peek)

Revisit the Daily Thunder archives as we dust off the heartbreaks, thrills, and mysteries that have made the NBA's youngest franchise one of its most storied.

There’s a new point guard in Oklahoma City, and his name is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

After being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the infamous Paul George trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has a chance to become the first real building block of the Thunder’s upcoming rebuild.

Acquired by the Clippers in a draft day trade with the Hornets, SGA started his rookie campaign by coming off the bench behind starters Lou Williams and Avery Bradley. It only took the rookie nine games to send Avery Bradley to the bench and replace him in the starting lineup. From there on out, Gilgeous-Alexander started every game for the Clippers including all six first-round playoff games versus the Warriors. SGA’s success landed him on the All-Rookie Second Team.

Now, with a (presumably) expanded role on the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander has his first chance to play extended minutes as a possible primary option in the NBA.

He isn’t uber-athletic like Ja Morant and he isn’t as gifted as a passer/shooter as Trae Young, but Shai wins in his own way. SGA has no glaring weakness like some other point guards who have come out recently (mostly defense). He’s like the Al Horford of guards: he may never put up gaudy stat totals, but his overall feel for the game and high IQ at his age , especially in the pick-and-roll, should make him a high-impact player throughout his career.