A few weeks ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the NBA world by trading for Donovan Mitchell. It had been rumored all summer that the New York Knicks would be the team to get Mitchell, but instead, the three-time All-Star joined another Eastern Conference team. There’s another guard that the Knicks could show interest in, and it’s Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The 24-year-old has been with Oklahoma City since 2019, and last year, he signed a five-year, $172 million maximum rookie extension that kicks in this season. He’s not set to become an unrestricted free agent until 2027, but there have still been trade rumors swirling around his name.
Thunder GM Sam Presti recently reiterated that SGA made a long-term commitment to OKC and that the only reason his name is being brought up in trade rumors is because Mitchell’s off the market. Gilgeous-Alexander echoed a similar sentiment by saying that he knew what he was signing up for when he agreed to the extension.
Nonetheless, with the Thunder being loaded with draft assets and Chet Holmgren being out for the season, there’s been talk about the guard potentially being traded. If Presti shows a willingness to have discussions about Gilgeous-Alexander, New York would likely be involved. However, according to Josh Lewenberg, the Toronto Raptors are “closely monitoring” SGA.
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going to be traded to Knicks’ Atlantic Division rival?
Based on how the Eastern Conference currently looks, the Knicks are going to likely be fighting for a play-in spot. With that being said, New York should be hoping that if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is traded (and not to the Knicks), it won’t be to a team in the East, much less a team in the Atlantic Division.
A trade for SGA won’t come easy. Presti isn’t someone that New York’s front office should want to deal with in trade talks, and because the guard signed an extension last summer, Oklahoma City’s going to set the bar high for a deal.
The Thunder are going to be a team to watch out for in the future, especially if they’re able to draft either Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson in June. If OKC keeps Gilgeous-Alexander, their starting lineup in 2023-24 has the potential to be dangerous.
For now, teams such as the Knicks (and the Raptors), are going to sit back and wait to see if SGA ends up wanting out, or if the Thunder show a willingness to trade him. The last thing that New York needs is for a player of SGA’s caliber to go to Toronto.
4 players looking to make a name for themselves in Knicks training camp
With the Knicks entering training camp ahead of the 2022-23 season, here are 4 players that are looking to make a name for themselves.