Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is excited about playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder next season and doesn't mind playing in a small market like Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander went to the University of Kentucky, so he says he likes the “home feeling” a small city like OKC will present him after playing in Los Angeles last season:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Billy Donovan: “He seems like a really honest and straightforward coach, and guys like that I love playing for.” pic.twitter.com/H4J3U3SgJp
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) August 22, 2019
The Thunder acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this summer from the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster Paul George trade. He played in all 82 games last season for the Clippers and averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.
OKC also acquired Chris Paul from the Houston Rockets this summer. The Thunder will probably start Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander together in the backcourt. With both Russell Westbrook and Paul George gone, the Thunder are now building the franchise around Gilgeous-Alexander.
Nothing is set in stone, but OKC's projected starting lineup for next season is Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, Terrance Ferguson, Danilo Gallinari and Steven Adams. In a loaded Western Conference, the Thunder will try to compete for one of the lower playoff seeds.
The development of Gilgeous-Alexander, though, is the most important thing for OKC's front office moving forward.
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