Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked if he would provide guidance on roster decisions. The Thunder star was unequivocal:
“I will give zero input. I will let Sam Presti, the greatest GM ever, do his job.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s comments signal that he will focus solely on his on-court performance, leaving organizational decisions to Oklahoma City’s acclaimed general manager. While other NBA superstars like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry have leveraged their status to influence team direction, Gilgeous-Alexander prefers to defer, keeping his focus on play rather than personnel moves.
The Thunder face significant offseason decisions under the league’s salary cap. Oklahoma City is projected to be $102 million over the cap next season, with multiple players in contract uncertainty. Isaiah Hartenstein holds a $28.5 million club option, Lu Dort has a $17.7 million option, and extensions for Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren all loom. Gilgeous-Alexander himself has a max extension kicking in the following year.
Holmgren, who struggled in Game 7 with four points on 1-for-2 shooting, faces questions about his role as the team’s primary interior defender capable of matching Wembanyama. Meanwhile, injuries to key contributors Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf) limited the Thunder’s lineup for much of the series, leaving many to wonder how the results might have differed had the team been at full strength.
