Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reflects on being traded to OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder changed the outlook of their franchise when they traded for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in July 2019. Shipping off the third-place finisher in MVP voting, Paul George, to the Clippers.
Along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Sam Presti fleeced the L.A. Clippers for a historic draft pick haul that has already started to materialize, namely in OKC’s lottery pick rookie Jalen Williams.
The Oklahoma City Thunder changed their franchise when they traded for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he reflects on that move in a new documentary on NBA League Pass.
The NBA has launched a new mini-documentary series called “pass the rock,” where they profile some of the league’s brightest stars. Today, that series moved to OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In this 12-minute video, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says, “I want to be known as one of the best players to play the game.” A sentiment he has shared before.
SGA revealed he was cut from his high school team, to which an NBA producer reminded him the arguably best player in the world, Michael Jordan, was also cut from his high school squad.
As they got into this massive trade, the superstar guard reflected on the move, “Trade happened unexpectedly for me. My biggest concern was will the Thunder like me? Because the Clippers drafted me, the Thunder didn’t.” said when he first put on the jersey OKC “didn’t know what I was about, but I wanted to show them.”
He did not stop there; the first-time NBA All-Star and soon-to-be All-NBA member continued, “I honestly think [Getting traded to Oklahoma City] is one of the better things to happen in my career. I have so much fun playing basketball in this organization.”
This quote will serve as fire for the Oklahoma City Thunder fanbase as the vultures of other NBA fanbases come swooping in this offseason with the trade machine to try and pry SGA away from Bricktown. He once again says he is happy in OKC.
This mini-documentary has more fun behind-the-scenes clips, interactions with former OKC star Kevin Durant, and his passion for fashion. He even expands on how he views LeBron James and how James’ game was never relatable to SGA. “It’s fun beating [LeBron James]. It is fun beating everybody, though,” he explained.
The OKC Thunder have yet another superstar, do not take this for granted. Players the caliber of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander do not pass through franchises at this clip usually. That is a credit to the players, coaches, front office, and organization from top to bottom.
