8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

From Ontario, Canada, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a promising rookie season (2018-19) when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers.  The Clippers were going for it all, and dealt the young Canadian in a package to OKC for Paul George, and it allowed Gilgeous-Alexander to show what type of player he could be.

What a steal it turned to be,

Gilgeous-Alexander inflated his PPG from his rookie year in L.A. from 10.8 to 19.0, while his PER also jumped from 13.4 to 17.7.  While he was held to 35 Games due to injury in 2020-21, the Guard clearly emerged as the top player in OKC, again increasing his metrics to a 21.6 PER and a 23.7 PPG.  SGA was also injured for a good amount of 2021-22, but averaged over 24 Points per Game in 56 Games.  The Canadian exploded to the elite level in 2022-23, wth a 31.4 PPG, All-Star and All-NBA Selection, establishing Gilgeous-Alexander as a top ten player in the NBA

Last year, SGA went to the next level, finishing second in MVP voting, propelling the Thunder to a deep playoff run, with a sweet 31.0 PPG.  It also netted the star with his second First Team All-NBA Selection.

Gilgeous-Alexander is a very special basketball player, and he has no ceiling.  

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Acquired: Traded from the Los Angeles Clippers with Danilo Gallinari, a 2021 1st Round Pick, a 2022 1st Round Pick, a 2023 1st Round Pick, a 2024 1st Round Pick, a 2025 1st Round Pick and a 2026 1st Round Pick for Paul George 7/10/10.
  • Games Played: 304
  • Per Game Averages: 34.6 MP
    .535 eFG%
    .856 FT%
    26.1 PTS
    5.3 RB
    5.3 AST
    1.4 STL
    0.8 BLK

    17 Playoff Games
    39.9 MP
    .525 eFG%
    .827 FT%
    24.5 PTS
    6.4 RB
    5.5 AST
    1.2 STL
    1.2 BLK
     
  • Advanced Stats: 23.7 PER
    .607 TS%
    19.4 VORP
    40.3 WS

    17 Playoff Games
    20.4 PER
    .578 TS%
    1.4 VORP
    2.5 WS
     
  • Major Accolades and Awards: First Team All-NBA (2023 & 2024)
    All-Star (2023 & 2024)
    Most Steals (2023-24)
    Most 2-Point Field Goal Attempts (2022-23)
    Most Free Throws (2022-23 & 2023-24)

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