Austin Reaves Thinks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Will ‘Be In The Race For MVP’ Soon

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves thinks Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will compete for an NBA MVP Award one day.

“He kills everybody in the league,” Reaves said, via Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. “He’s one day probably going to be in the race for MVP.”

NBA execs from rival teams of the Thunder who were hoping that Gilgeous-Alexander would request a trade from OKC have given up hope on that front, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year, $179 million rookie-scale extension with the Thunder in August 2021.

“And yes, in case anyone wondered, all those rival executives who were hoping he would want out of Oklahoma City less than a year ago appear to have given up hope on that front,” Amick wrote.

Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season while shooting 51.0% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free-throw line. The 25-year-old made his first All-Star team and was voted to the All-NBA First Team.

The Thunder won 40 games last season. They defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in the 9-10 play-in game but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 8-9 play-in game. Chet Holmgren missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. The Thunder can’t wait to see Holmgren play next to Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams.

OKC acquired Gilgeous-Alexander from the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster Paul George trade during the summer of 2019. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 24.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 229 games with the Thunder. He holds career averages of 21.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists with the Clippers and Thunder.

It will be fascinating to see if OKC makes the playoffs next season with Holmgren in the fold next to Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder haven’t made the postseason since 2020.