Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is experiencing a career-defining season that has positioned him among the many NBA’s elite superstars.
The newly topped Most Worthwhile Participant has led the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to the Western Convention Finals, the place they presently maintain a commanding 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
His outstanding marketing campaign presents historic alternatives that haven’t been achieved in practically a decade. Gilgeous-Alexander might turn out to be the primary participant since LeBron James in 2013 to seize each common season MVP and Finals MVP awards in the identical 12 months.
Moreover, he has the possibility to affix Stephen Curry as the one participant since 2015 to win MVP and a championship in the identical season whereas doubtlessly delivering Oklahoma Metropolis’s first title in franchise historical past.
The inspiration for this success traces again to the 2019 commerce that introduced Gilgeous-Alexander to Oklahoma Metropolis, a deal that’s now thought of some of the lopsided in NBA historical past.
The Thunder acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, 5 first-round draft picks, and two extra choose swaps in change for Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Former Clippers coach Doc Rivers revealed fascinating particulars in regards to the commerce throughout a 2023 interview with Invoice Simmons, explaining how Kawhi Leonard’s championship calls for influenced the choice.
“My response was we’re getting Kawhi and Paul George. I used to be joyful. Having stated that, I did convey it up. I did say, ‘Man, can we give them someone else? Like, we can’t hand over Shai,’” Rivers recalled.
Rivers tried to persuade Kawhi Leonard about Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential, however the newly acquired celebrity prioritized fast championship rivalry over long-term growth.
“I saved saying, ‘You understand, Kawhi, Shai goes to be a star,’” Rivers defined. “And (Leonard requested), ‘Effectively, how lengthy?’ I stated, ‘I don’t know the way lengthy, however he’s going to be one.’”
Leonard in the end insisted on the commerce, believing the mixture of himself and George would ship fast championship success to Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, that championship by no means materialized, with the Clippers’ deepest playoff run reaching solely the 2021 Western Convention Finals.
In the meantime, Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into precisely what Rivers predicted and extra. At simply 26 years previous, he has developed into one of many league’s most full guards, averaging over 30 factors per sport whereas sustaining elite defensive requirements.
The Thunder’s endurance with their younger star has created a championship basis that the Clippers’ win-now strategy failed to realize.
And now with Gilgeous-Alexander main Oklahoma Metropolis towards their first title, the 2019 commerce stands as a masterclass in recognizing and creating generational expertise.
