With the Thunder‘s rebuilding process underway, one definite part of the foundation is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The third-year guard will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension this summer, and Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti recently spoke about the possibility of getting something done.
“We have a big conversation that we’ll be able to have with Shai coming up in the offseason,” Presti said, per Bobby Marks of ESPN. “We’re really looking forward to that. His impact on the team was pretty obvious, and we think he’s a very, very bright rising player in the NBA. We couldn’t be more excited about the growth he took, both as a player but also as a leader during the year.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was acquired from the Clippers two years ago in the trade that sent Paul George to Los Angeles. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his first season with the Thunder and was posting a 23.7/4.7/5.9 line through 35 games this year before being sidelined by plantar fasciitis.
“I thought he helped a lot of our guys improve and put them in position to be successful, and that got much tougher when he wasn’t on the court, which is an indicator that he’s a good player,” Presti said. “That’s what you want.”
There’s more from Oklahoma City:
- The Thunder tied for the fourth-worst record in the league and Presti is willing to be patient with trying to mold the team back into a playoff contender, Marks notes in the same story. Although OKC has plenty of cap space, the team won’t be chasing any of the top names when free agency begins next month. The Thunder have six picks in the upcoming draft, along with trade exceptions worth $27.5MM, $12.8MM, $10.1MM and $9.6MM. “You stick to your principles, you stick to your values, you think in the best interests of the organization long term,” Presti said. “In our case we’re really focused on building a sustainably great team in Oklahoma City. I think good things will happen, and I think we should be optimistic about that and continue to be forward facing with that respect.”
- Oklahoma City secured a first-round pick by acquiring Kemba Walker from the Celtics, and the Thunder are in position to do it again, Marks adds. He suggests the Nets may be willing to part with the 27th selection to move DeAndre Jordan, who is owed nearly $20MM over the next two seasons.
- There was talk of Vasilije Micic joining the Thunder next season, but the reigning EuroLeague MVP has agreed to a three-year contract extension with Anadolu Efes, according to Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohooops. The 27-year-old point guard will have an NBA out next summer and in 2023.
Presti is Hinkie 2.0
Hope OKC fans have a lot of patience. They shouldn’t pay anything for attending games.
Hinkie had much better luck with the ping pong balls.
What are you talking about? Presti is arguably the best GM in the league. They made the playoffs literally last year. They have like 15 first round picks, loads of young talent, and tons of cap flexibility. Thunder are in great position, their rebuild will be much quicker than many other teams.
Agreed Ryan, OKC has done a great job the last few years. Also, good point they made the playoffs last season.
Great job drafting 3 MVP’s and having absolutely nothing to show for it.
The future for OKC will be bleak while they look back at the good old days.
In a much better position than the Rockets…
Until he’s able to turn those picks and space into something he’s far from the best GM in the league, especially since he was essentially gifted SGA and a number of those picks (ditto CP3 and more firsts thanks to the Rockets owner). He’s good but time will tell just how good. And his overall track, while pretty good, isn’t close to spotless.
If Presti were 76ers gm, they would have won 3 championships, and possibly 3 more next few years
He wouldn’t trade Tatum for Fultz
Presti traded Harden for Martin and a pick. Calm down
The Thunder are in a bit of a bind. Sure they have a lot of picks and trade exceptions but how long will Shai be patient not to mention the fans?
I’d like to see them trade for NAW.
SGA’s cousin. Dudes been stuck behind a heavy guard rotation in NO but whenever he gets a chance he balls out.
In his first summer league in Vegas, he was first in scoring (24.3 ppg), fourth in assists (6.0 apg) and third in steals (2.8 spg). Then obviously covid took out last years summer league which would’ve been another opportunity for him to show off.
Most recently with Canada against Greece he had 18 points going 7/12 from the floor to go with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
Then against China, he finished with 11 points (4/10), 8 rebounds and 5 assists shooting 3/5 from three.
I think playing with SGA someone he’s grew up playing with previously and would get along with great off the court who boost him game. He’s exactly what OKC need too. Another young combo guard that can defend alright, good with the three ball, handle the ball, create for others or play off ball.
Would be super cheap considering the Pelicans hardly use him behind all their guards. Please make it happen
Then both should drop their Alexanders.
NOLA would be a good place for SGA to force himself on to.
I’d love the idea of pairing them together in OKC. But NOLA knows what they have with him and I would expect NOLA to either trade Bledsoe this offseason to pave the way for more minutes for NAW or if they decide the price tag to keep Lonzo is too high then that too would clear up minutes for NAW this coming season
Westbrook was so idiot for leaving OKC. Who cares if they were rebuilding, he could have still be the man of the franchise instead of another journeyman.
Russ still is the man of the franchise, now in DC, but still the best player in there, so can’t see your point ’bout a journeyman!
Okc should package up their picks to trade up for Mobley