Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent the summer working on the part of his game that could make life even harder for defenses: what he does away from the ball. After four straight All-NBA First Team selections, two straight MVPs, and leading the push for an OKC Thunder championship, he still found room to sharpen his attack.
That work has shown up early in preseason. In just 18 minutes played, Gilgeous-Alexander has already knocked down three catch-and-shoot 3s, a notable jump from his averages of fewer than one per game over the last two seasons.
The signs are there. The question now is how the Thunder turn that into a bigger weapon.
One answer might be right in front of them: speed.
The Thunder have built their rise by controlling the flow, but last season they finished 16th in pace and 21st in fastbreak points scored. With Gilgeous-Alexander adding more off-ball value, there’s a real case for pushing the ball more often and getting him into easier scoring positions before defenses can load up on him.
Jared McCain pointed out recently in a post-practice media session that SGA usually draws the opponent’s best defender and often faces heavy pressure just to bring the ball up the floor. As McCain said, "he's getting tired" once he crosses half-court. That helps explain why the Thunder are starting to spread more of the ball-handling around and take some of that burden off their star.
That shift matters. If another Thunder player brings it up, Gilgeous-Alexander can arrive with more energy and less contact, ready to work against a defense that’s already scrambling.
And if the ball is flying up the floor faster, the defense has to react to the handler first. That opens the door for Gilgeous-Alexander to slip into space, set himself, and punish teams with clean looks off the catch.
The preseason numbers suggest Oklahoma City may already be testing that formula. Through the early going, the Thunder rank second in pace and seventh in fastbreak points scored.
In Other News...
Thunder Preseason Suddenly Belongs To The Young Players Fighting For Spots
The Thunder are taking a clear look at the back end of the roster in their upcoming preseason game in Atlanta on Oct. 12. Mark Daigneault said Oklahoma City will use the trip to lean heavily on rookies, two-way contract players and Exhibit-10 signees, giving those young players a longer runway to show what they can do while the team keeps its established core focused on the regular season opener.
For a group fighting for spots, that kind of preseason stage matters. With the rotation regulars staying home, the game becomes less about the usual Thunder shape and more about opportunity, evaluation and whether any of the younger names can separate themselves in a crowded race for attention as camp rolls on. [Read more 🡒]
Cason Wallace Could Force A Tough Thunder Decision Soon
Cason Wallace is in the middle of a familiar but important preseason chore for a young contender: trying to turn promise into paperwork before the Oct. 19 rookie-scale extension deadline. The Thunder have made a habit of planning ahead, and Wallace has given them plenty of reason to consider a long-term commitment after carving out a meaningful role in Oklahoma Citys rotation.
The sticking point, as is often the case with rising young guards, is the price. The sides are still negotiating against the backdrop of the Thunders larger payroll picture, and Wallaces camp is understandably pushing for a deal that reflects his value and the market for players in his tier. Oklahoma City has to balance the desire to lock in another core piece with the realities of a roster that is only getting more expensive, which is why this one may not come together quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Thomas Sorber Is Becoming A Real Thunder Roster Question
Thomas Sorbers first months with the Thunder have been defined less by what he can do on the floor than by what he still has to clear medically. The young big man has not yet appeared in Summer League, preseason or the regular season because of injuries, including a knee operation this offseason, and the organization has urged patience as he works his way back and leans on the teams medical staff.
For a frontcourt group that is already sorting through its own minute distribution, Sorbers situation adds another layer of uncertainty. He remains out for Mondays game against the Atlanta Hawks, and with Aday Mara turning in a strong preseason, the competition for those minutes only gets tighter as Oklahoma City waits to see when Sorber can finally start making his case on the court. [Read more 🡒]