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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Not a Free Throw Merchant

Originally posted on The Lead | By Miles Leicht | Last updated Apr 12, 2025 3:19 PM ET

During his MVP campaign this season, there have been no flaws in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s game.

Because of his talents, critics have created false narratives. The main complaint has been SGA is a “foul baiter” and a “free throw merchant.”

This is about as far from the truth as can be, so why are people carrying this agenda?

SGA is the New Superstar

Unfortunately, the media likes to create new narratives for every new superstar. During Nikola Jokic‘s rise, many tried to dismiss him because of his defensive effort. Before Jokic, critics said Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t a good enough player to win a championship despite winning two MVPs.

It’s now SGA’s turn to receive this unnecessary criticism. He will likely keep these labels, which will fade away when the next new superstar comes around.

Stats to Disprove

While having one of the most prolific scoring seasons, SGA hasn’t gotten to the line enough. Gilgeous-Alexander currently leads the league in drives per game with 20.6, 2.8 more than second-place Jalen Brunson.

Leading the league in drives per game, it would make sense if he is also first in the NBA in free throw attempts per game and free throw rate.

He isn’t first in either of those. Giannis is first in free-throw attempts per game with 10.5, which is 1.7 more than SGA. Among qualified players, SGA is 13th in free-throw rate (0.404).

SGA leads the league in field goal attempts per game (21.8), which should put him at the top of these ratings, but he doesn’t have the whistle that people think.

In the one game this season in which SGA did not shoot a single free throw, he scored 26 points, the most of any player who didn’t shoot any free throws in a game this year.

For the first time since Dec. 2021, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not attempt a free throw in a game.

SGA attempted a free throw in 248 straight games, the 2nd-longest streak by a Thunder player since the franchise moved to OKC in 2008-09. pic.twitter.com/kG55souflO

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2025

Historical Perspective

In NBA history, there have been 90 30+ point-per-game seasons, with 52 of those seasons having 10.0+ free throw attempts per game. SGA currently has 8.8 attempts per game, which places him 66th out of 90 for free throw attempts per game.

Despite SGA averaging the 27th most points per game in a season (32.7), he is still in the bottom half of the all-time free-throw attempts list.

There have been 35 32+ point-per-game scoring seasons in NBA history, and SGA ranks 29th in free throw attempts among those players. Stephen Curry, George Gervin, Luka Doncic, and Michael Jordan are the only players with fewer attempts.

At 669 free-throw attempts this season, SGA is ranked 99th all-time in a season for free throws attempted.

Looking at SGA’s scoring season through a historical lens, he hasn’t even reached the free-throw heights of all-time greats who were never called “foul baiters” or “free-throw merchants” like Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady, and LeBron James.

Instead, SGA is having a below-average free-throw season for this scoring caliber.

"I don't need free throws."

Shai on scoring 40 pts on five FT attempts

40 PTS
17-26 FG
5-5 FT
29 MINS (didn't play 4th Q) pic.twitter.com/w4sJFbbVnP

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 17, 2025

The Eye Test

Watching SGA play, it is clear how much contact he draws on a play-to-play basis. Due to his outstanding footwork, change of pace, balance, and flexibility, it’s impossible to guard him.

The defender has to try to foul to stop him; even when SGA tries to take advantage of the defender’s aggressiveness, he is not always gifted the foul.

Even in the clip above, SGA drives straight at two defenders at full speed, clearly draws contact, and still no foul call.

SGA has proven to be a generational scorer who will score from any spot on the court. Because of this, the defense is clueless about how to defend him. Swiping, hooking, and hitting his arm is their only hope of slowing SGA down.

It is time to stop these false narratives. SGA gets to the line as much as he does because of his otherworldly offensive skill and IQ.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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