3 Reasons Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Will Be a Star on the Thunder

As part of a blockbuster trade between the Clippers and Thunder, former Kentucky point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is heading to Oklahoma City

Silky second-year point guard and former Kentucky Wildcat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the move after his rookie season in Los Angeles with the Clippers. In a gargantuan trade which single-handedly flipped the power struggle in Los Angeles (and perhaps in the entire NBA), Thunder wing Paul George was sent to the west coast in exchange for seven variations of first-round picks, Danilo Gallinari, and our very own SGA. For the sake of his drip, this is horrible news. But for Gilgeous-Alexander the player, the switch opens new doors and sets him up with a near-empty roster and a cornucopia of future assets. With the swath of future picks and few inspiring pieces to build around, SGA should be a central pillar for the upcoming Thunder rebuild; judging by the reports that former-MVP Russell Westbrook is on the trading block, the front office appears all-in on a reboot focused around Gilgeous-Alexander. And he is going to be a star, folks. Here are three reasons:

1. Scoring

As a pure scoring threat, Shai is multi-faceted and tremendously smooth. In his year in Lexington, Gilgeous-Alexander thrived in the pick-and-roll and driving to the basket. Standing 6’6 and playing point guard, SGA is a longer threat than most lead guards in the NBA. His ridiculous length, large hands, and fluid feet make him unstoppable in the half-court; driving the basket against smaller defenders, slipping by larger ones, preventing and dismantling double-teams with his playmaking; and pulling up in the mid-range. With the ball in his hands, Gilgeous-Alexander is a swiss army knife.

In order to develop into a true star scorer in Oklahoma City, Shai needs an extra summer in the gym launching threes and filling his body out. Second-year Shai, as an even more reliable three-point shooter and mature physical specimen at point-guard, and with an advanced usage rating, will become a primary scoring threat with Oklahoma City. A true triple threat. A magician off the dribble with Houdini finishing moves who can execute an unguardable mid-range pull-up and can convert catch-and-shoot or off-the-dribble threes. All-Star DNA.

2. Passing

Passing is a fundamental trait of Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive repertoire. Quite frankly, it was his calling card on that end of the floor until he arrived at Kentucky. Even though SGA has developed into an elite scorer at the rim and off the bounce, his passing still remains a frighteningly threatening aspect of his game. I touched on his ability in the pick-and-roll a moment ago, and he can score the ball extraordinarily in that situation already, but overall, Shai is an incredibly creative player as a ballhandler. In PNR possessions, Gilgeous-Alexander slides flawless bounce passes on the roll and gives just enough drag to avoid the defender but still reach his target. It’s majestic. With his lanky arms, SGA releases the ball so low to the ground and exerts enough push to hit the roll-man perfectly on his dive to the basket. With the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander will have one of the most potent finishers in the NBA at his disposal on the pick-and-roll: New Zealand big man Steven Adams (barring a trade of course).

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Aside from the pick-and-roll, SGA is simply a smart, quick, and effective passer. Since his time at Kentucky, SGA has curbed his frequent ball-stopping habits in favor of a looser, off-ball role with Los Angeles. Since he was not the focal point of the LAC offense like he was in college, Shai was forced into a role he probably expected at UK, off-ball defensive presence with untapped versatile scoring upside. After displaying clear scoring talent in college and as a rookie, SGA also showcased elite upside as a passer. A point guard who can dominate without the ball in his hands and without scoring. He is going to be special.

Defense

Coming into his freshman year at Kentucky, SGA was billed as a backup guard who specialized defensively and was entirely raw on offense. As a defender, Gilgeous-Alexander is smart, aggressive, and extraordinarily long. He can capably lock down three positions and is a quick-handed ninja on the perimeter. Often times in the NBA when we discuss young point guards, the defense is a glaring issue. It’s been the kryptonite of dozens of talented juveniles at the point guard position. Even now, Trae Young, Jamal Murray, D’Angelo Russell, Ja Morant, Dennis Smith Jr., and others are impressive offensive contributors, but span from below average to utterly hopeless on defense. For all of these young guards in the future crop of great point guards, defense will hamper their potential at least a little bit. With Alexander, his defense is far from below average, and it has a chance of earning him All-Defense honors in the future.

There’s the case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to become a star. He can score at all three phases, operate as a perfect multi-situational ballhandler, pass with efficiency and intelligence, and defend with effort and skill. It’s an extremely rare combination of skills in a 20-year-old point guard, and the Thunder’s newly acquired asset, SGA, possesses them all.