OKC Thunder Would Be Foolish to Trade Shai Gilgeous-Alexander After FIBA WC Stint

(Photo : YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (R) reacts as Spain's Alberto Diaz tries to block him during the FIBA Basketball World Cup group L match between Spain and Canada at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven he has what it takes to lead and win games and the Oklahoma City Thunder should take notice.

After his eye-popping performances at the FIBA World Cup 2023, there is no denying that interest in the All-Star guard has grown, and the Thunder will receive calls about a potential NBA trade involving Gilgeous-Alexander.

However, prospective NBA teams are equally aware that the demands of OKC will be different and steeper moving forward. Hence, the ones targeting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are expected to simmer down, aware that it will no longer be easy trying to pluck the rising young guard from Oklahoma City, Sam Amick of The Athletic pointed out.

"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 stated.

However, the Thunder need to be aware of what they have right now and move. Aside from Gilgeous-Alexander, they also have budding stars such as Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams.

There is also Chet Holmgreen, who has yet to play an NBA game. The highly-touted player missed the entire 2022-23 NBA season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his foot during a Pro-am game, ESPN reported.

This early, the player who owns a 7-foot-6 wingspan is getting much hype, not for the NBA Rookie of the Year award but for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. He is given a +4000 odds of winning that award by Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report.

Summing it all up, the Thunder have the tools to be NBA playoff contenders, at the least. But at the rate that Gilgeous-Alexander is proving he can lead any team deep with his FIBA World Cup 2023 performance, OKC could be a team to watch for the coming NBA season.