The low season retains getting higher for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Thunder tenure.
Not solely did the Thunder cement lottery expertise round him for future seasons in the draft, however strikes from different Western Conference foes have opened up NBA All-Star lanes, which had been beforehand clogged.
On Thursday the Utah Jazz despatched a multi-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland, an Eastern Conference staff and in return introduced Colin Sexton, an up-and-coming younger guard.
Earlier in the low season Dejounte Murray went to Atlanta from San Antonio.
This means two of final yr’s Western Conference All-Star guards are now not in the manner of Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been closing in on the elusive choice.
Coming off a season the place he produced 24.5 factors, 5 rebounds and practically six assists per recreation, the Thunder star is a transparent choice to take one of the open spots on this season’s All-Star recreation now that Murray and Mitchell are now not in the convention.
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Last season, Murray averaged 21.1 factors, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists per recreation whereas Mitchell averaged 25.9 factors 4.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per recreation.
If SGA can stay a 24 to 26 factors per recreation scorer whereas getting his rebounding complete to round six and sustaining the similar or extra assists, he might discover himself shot in up throughout the All-Star Break this season.
He’s been shut in his profession with OKC however with one of the deepest rosters talent-wise in his tenure SGA has the probability to notch his first All-Star choice to his resume.
Mitchell and Murray left a spot at the prime of Western Conference guards that wanted to be crammed. In some ways it’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot to lose after his dominant finish to his time final season.
With excessive degree guards heading by to the Eastern Conference this may very well be SGA’s probability to seek out his manner onto the All-Star staff.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link