At the moment, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder is likely one of the most talked-about and revered gamers within the NBA.
However only some years in the past, he was only a younger rookie seeking to make a reputation for himself with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The staff gave up on him and traded him away, and Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t forgotten that.
He says that he nonetheless will get fired up enjoying towards his former staff.
“The Clippers got here into city and I might be mendacity to you if I let you know I didn’t stand up to play the Clippers each time, for apparent causes… I needed to verify when it’s all mentioned and completed, OKC received the commerce,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned.
Shai:
“The Clippers got here into city and I might be mendacity to you if I let you know I did not stand up to play the Clippers each time, for apparent causes… I needed to verify when it’s all mentioned and completed, OKC received the commerce.”
(h/t @CAlmanza1007)pic.twitter.com/VTsLlhU27z
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 17, 2025
Throughout his sole season with the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander put up 10.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, and three.3 assists.
He gained a whole lot of consideration as a rookie, and most groups would have held onto him.
However when Los Angeles had an opportunity to get Paul George from the Thunder, they went for it and created one of the crucial memorable and questionable trades of all time.
With that, Gilgeous-Alexander got here to OKC together with a ton of future draft picks.
The remaining, as they are saying, is historical past, and it helped put the Thunder on the trail they’re on now.
Since then, Gilgeous-Alexander has develop into a very powerful participant for his staff, incomes MVP, Finals MVP, and extra.
He is a big cause why they’re now champions, trying to win back-to-back titles.
Gilgeous-Alexander understands why the Clippers despatched him away, however he clearly hasn’t forgotten.
They turned him into the participant he’s now, in additional methods than one.
NEXT: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has Joined Elite Firm