Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to NBA superstardom

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to NBA superstardom has officially been cemented. Less than a day after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 114–88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the dynamic guard was named the 2024-25 NBA MVP. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news, confirming what many fans and analysts had long suspected—SGA’s brilliance has earned him basketball’s highest individual honour. But beyond the stats and accolades, this MVP award signifies something greater: the arrival of a new era in Oklahoma City.

The achievement has reignited discussions about the infamous trade that sent Gilgeous-Alexander from the LA Clippers to OKC in exchange for Paul George. The blockbuster deal also included Danilo Gallinari and a staggering haul of five first-round picks plus two swaps, setting the Thunder up for long-term success. At the time, the Clippers were in win-now mode, pairing George with Kawhi Leonard in hopes of building a championship-calibre squad. That same night, they made their boldest move yet—signing Leonard in free agency to complete their ambitious vision.

Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and the contrast is striking. Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the NBA’s premier players, leading a legitimate title contender, while George finds himself on the struggling Philadelphia 76ers, and Leonard has yet to make another Conference Finals appearance. In hindsight, this trade may go down as one of the worst in NBA history, second only to the ill-fated Luka Dončić trade. The George-Leonard tandem produced just one Conference Finals appearance in six years, and the Clippers’ current core of Leonard and James Harden seems to have a much lower ceiling compared to OKC’s promising future.

Looking back, the deal appeared reasonable at the time—the Clippers were chasing a championship, while the Thunder were embracing a rebuild. However, with Gilgeous-Alexander now leading a juggernaut and George-Leonard failing to deliver a title, it’s clear OKC won the trade. As the Thunder continue their rise, one thing is certain—their future is brighter than ever.

Glossary

Most Valuable Player (aka 'MVP')... short for the 'Most Valuable Player'. An award given to a sports player who is judged most important to the sport, team, or game; the player who receives such an award.