When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a rookie scale extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, many NBA executives thought it would be a matter of time before a trade request followed. The Thunder were just starting a multi-year rebuild and were deep into asset-collection mode.
Now, with Oklahoma City rapidly improving, those rival executives have given up hope that Gilgeous-Alexander will ask for a trade. The Thunder were in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament last season and are a trendy pick to make the playoffs outright this season.
Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off an All-NBA season and looks primed to have another big year, coming off a terrific summer playing for Canada at the World Cup. Oklahoma City will also see 2022 second overall pick Chet Holmgren make his debut this season, after missing his rookie year with a foot injury.
