Exceptional this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken a very big step on the individual level to establish himself as one of the best NBA backs. However, rumors concerning the future of SGA are never far away, rumors that the main interested party continues to deny.
At the end of September, during the Thunder Media Day, Shai reaffirmed his desire to be part of the Thunder reconstruction project: “I know what I signed up for by extending for 5 years, and I don’t think we will lose for very long. I believe in this team.”
These are specifically the terms used by the young Oklahoma City phenomenon to calm speculation regarding him. Speculation regarding his future stemming from OKC’s poor results (only 22 and 24 wins in the past two seasons) and general manager Sam Presti’s affection for le tanking la Draft.
Does Shai really want to stay in such a long-term project? Isn’t he frustrated with losing every night as he begins to enter his individual prime at 24? And do the Thunder really want to build on SGA, older than recent draft prospects like Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren?
These are the kinds of questions we’re used to hearing regarding the SGA-Thunder relationship.
But the back, who is evolving at a superstar level this season (31 points, 5 rebounds, 6 average assists) and who brings Oklahoma City to an honorable record (11 wins – 15 losses), has a new outfit to show his confidence in Sam Presti’s Thunderin a recent interview with The Oklahoman.
“It’s easy to trust someone when that person has never given you a reason not to. It’s always easier to trust someone when that person tells you something and then it comes true. And that’s my relationship with Sam so far.
He never lied to me. It’s easy to work, to play basketball, to give your all every day and to have confidence in the future when a guy like him is at the helm.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes in the Thunder’s reconstruction project and above all, he wants to be its symbol, its leader. And when you see the level at which SGA is evolving today, it has what it takes to represent the centerpiece of the Oklahoma City franchise.
Ironically, Shai was not drafted by Sam Presti, who arrived in Oklahoma City from Los Angeles in 2019 (with a string of draft picks) as part of the transfer of Paul George. And that may represent another reason why some have trouble seeing SGA staying at the Thunder for the long haul. But the back has become so strong, it ticks so many boxes that Sam Presti has no interest in parting with it.
“We love Shai, he’s really going to be a great player. He will have a great career, he has the right mentality, he is very talented. He is not someone who only sees the short term, and that is why we wanted to engage with him in a meaningful way.”
– Sam Presti, during the last Media Day
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Source texte : The Oklahoman