3 reasons the Knicks should trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
By Josh Wiesel
3. Prototypical guard in today’s NBA
Big athletic guards and wings are taking over the NBA. Having a player with size that can handle, slash, and pass is the norm on successful teams.
Looking around the NBA, there is a bunch of young talent that fits this mold. Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Devin Booker, Scottie Barnes, and LaMelo Ball are prime examples. Even a player like Ja Morant, who plays bigger than his six-foot-three frame with his fearless ability to take the ball to the basket.
If you’re looking for a player that loves to take it to the basket, SGA is your guy. Here’s how SGA has ranked in drives to the rim in the last two years.
2021-2022: (56 games played)
A) Drives per game:
1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23.9)
2nd: Luka Doncic (22.9)
B) Field goals made per drive:
1st: Ja Morant (5.7)
2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.1)
C) Field goals attempted per drive:
1st: Ja Morant (11.3)
2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10.3)
D) Points per game on drives:
1st: Ja Morant (14.8)
2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.9)
- Tied with Luka Doncic in first with 9.6 passes a game on drives.
- Tied in 11th with most assists driving to the basket at 1.8 per game.
2020-2021: (35 games played)
A) Drives per game:
1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25.2)
2nd: Luka Doncic (20.3)
B) Field goals made per drive:
1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.2)
2nd: De’Aaron Fox (4.9)
C) Field goals attempted per drive:
1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9.3)
2nd: De’Aaron Fox (8.7)
D) Points per game on drives:
1st: De’Aaron Fox (13.3)
2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.1)
- Ranked first in NBA with 12.2 passes per game on drives.
- SGA also generated the third most assists driving to the basket at 2.4 per game.
Clearly being a player who likes to drive to the basket, Gilgeous-Alexander knows how to make smart decisions and find open players. With his bigger frame and athletic abilities, SGA draws two or three players on him when driving to the basket.
Knowing that he can score efficiently at the rim, defenses are forced to drop back on SGA which opens up the floor for his teammates. That 1.8 assists on drives could double if he was playing with guys like RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Jalen Brunson.
At 24 years old and signed to a long-term contract, the Knicks need to make a serious offer to get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to New York, or they could end up regretting it for years to come.
