Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Free Throw Game Isn’t a Gimmick - It’s Just Great Basketball
There’s a narrative that keeps popping up around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - one that suggests the Thunder superstar is padding his scoring numbers at the free throw line. The term “free throw merchant” has been thrown around a little too loosely when it comes to SGA, and frankly, it’s not just tired - it’s flat-out inaccurate.
And yet, even with the numbers painting a very different picture, the noise persists.
The latest to chime in? LeBron James. On a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, LeBron pointed to keeping Gilgeous-Alexander off the line as a key part of the game plan when facing the reigning MVP.
“He knows how to manipulate the game in a good way,” James said. “He’s always looking for hands, arms, and elbows if you’re in his space. That’s just our game right now.”
To be clear, LeBron wasn’t throwing shade. In fact, he followed up by saying, “You gotta respect it,” and acknowledged how tough it is to stop Gilgeous-Alexander from drawing contact. But even in praise, the comment echoes a familiar refrain - that SGA’s scoring is somehow overly reliant on whistles.
Let’s break that down.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Heading into OKC’s matchup with the Spurs, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 9.4 free throw attempts per game - good for fourth in the league. He’s drawing 6.4 personal fouls per contest, which ranks ninth.
Those are high numbers, sure. But they’re not out of line with what you’d expect from a high-usage guard who lives in the paint and is constantly absorbing contact.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Luka Dončić, LeBron’s own teammate, leads the league in both categories. And yet, Dončić doesn’t seem to carry the same “free throw merchant” label.
SGA is also knocking down those freebies at an elite clip - 88.5 percent - converting 8.3 attempts per night. Again, that's not even the most in the league. Dončić is hitting 9.8 per game.
So why is it that Gilgeous-Alexander is the one catching flak?
Scoring Beyond the Stripe
Here’s the part that really puts things into perspective: even if you took away every single one of SGA’s 232 made free throws this season, he’d still rank 11th in the NBA in total points scored.
That’s not just efficient - that’s elite.
Only about 25.5 percent of his total points are coming from the line. For context, that’s a lower percentage than Deni Avdija (31.2%), Dončić (28.6%), and James Harden (28.1%). And no one’s accusing those guys of gaming the system.
What makes Gilgeous-Alexander such a nightmare to guard is his ability to get downhill and make defenders uncomfortable. He’s averaging 17.9 drives per game - one of the highest marks in the league - and he’s not just hunting fouls. He’s creating real scoring opportunities, often in tight windows, through contact, and with a level of craft that few guards possess.
Frankly, with how often he’s putting pressure on defenses, you could argue he should be getting to the line even more.
Respect the Craft
Drawing fouls isn’t a gimmick - it’s a skill. It’s part of the game, and the best scorers in NBA history have all mastered it in some form.
What SGA is doing isn’t about tricking referees. It’s about understanding angles, timing, and how to make defenders pay for being out of position.
LeBron’s right about one thing - you do have to respect it.
Because when you look past the noise and actually watch the tape, what you’ll see isn’t a player living at the line. You’ll see a three-level scorer who’s as comfortable pulling up from midrange as he is slicing through traffic. A player who’s become one of the most efficient, consistent offensive engines in the league - with or without the whistle.
So let’s put the “free throw merchant” talk to bed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t gaming the system. He’s mastering it.