Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reportedly Sends Clear Message to Thunder on Lu Dort’s Future

For those wondering the reasoning behind Shai wanting his teammate to stick together might be traced back a few years. Both arrived in Oklahoma City during the 2019-20 season and helped guide the franchise through its rebuild into championship contention. 

Additionally, they also spend summers together representing Team Canada internationally.

Financially, moving on from the Canadian Guard could make sense. Oklahoma City holds a $17.7 million team option on the veteran guard, and declining it would help ease pressure from looming second-apron penalties.

Still, Dort remains one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders despite an underwhelming playoff run. He also averaged 11.6 points per game while shooting 35.8% from three across his Thunder career.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thinks MVP Year Is A Failure

Most players would view an MVP season and a trip to the conference finals as a massive success. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sees it differently.

One day after the Thunder’s Game 7 elimination, the newly crowned MVP openly called his season a failure because it did not end with another championship.

“I failed at my goal,” he said. “I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve. But I learn the most about myself and make the greatest amount of increases in my career when I fail and don’t get what I want. I look at this no different. I didn’t get where I wanted to go this season. There’s a reason for that. Now I have to look at that reason and try to make sure it never happens again.”

However, that mindset has become part of what separates the Thunder superstar from the rest of the league. Even after averaging 31.1 points per game during the regular season and leading Oklahoma City to the top seed in the West, Gilgeous-Alexander focused entirely on the ending.

The Spurs made life difficult for him throughout the series. With Victor Wembanyama protecting the paint and Stephon Castle pressuring him on the perimeter, Gilgeous-Alexander shot just 40.9% from the field and 28.6% from three across the seven games.

Still, he nearly carried the Thunder to victory in Game 7, finishing with 35 points despite missing key teammates Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell.