Two Bleacher Report scribes expect a big season from OKC Thunder cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as both select him in their top 10 fantasy guard picks.
The NBA preseason got underway this weekend with the OKC Thunder grabbing an impressive victory in San Antonio. This in spite of missing eight players from the 20 training camp attendees and having only four of last season’s players on hand.
Of that quartet, franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took center stage in what is sure to be the most important campaign of his young career.
Through two seasons the Canadian has developed an impressive resume. In his rookie campaign, he won over veteran coach Doc Rivers and by season end was a core contributor for the Clippers.
As owner Steve Ballmer set his sights on becoming a title contender the Clippers actively pursued free agent Kawhi Leonard. And while the LA native was keen to return home fresh off winning a title in Toronto, his signing wasn’t cemented until GM Lawrence Frank delivered Leonard’s handpicked All-Star – – Paul George.
Recognizing he held all the leverage OKC Thunder exec Sam Presti took advantage purging the Clippers draft closet of five first-round draft picks (two will be conveyed from the Heat) as well as the potential for two first-round draft swaps. However, the piece d’ resistance for Presti was demanding youngster Gilgeous-Alexander be included to complete the trade.
While the future will ultimately determine who won the trade the Thunder netted immediate results from the youngster in his first season with the franchise. Under the tutelage and mentorship of Chris Paul, SGA became the team’s top scorer and gained invaluable experience playing off the ball more than he had previously. It was a challenge the youngster took head-on and the results were palpable.
This season with CP3 and Dennis Schroder now in Phoenix and LA the 22-year old will take on increased responsibility on and off the hardwood. Sam Presti and new head coach Mark Daigneault are placing the reigns in the youngster’s hands as he takes over as the face and leader of the club.
While it’s added pressure the point guard is eager for the challenge. SGA will become the Thunder’s primary playmaker and scorer and logically witness increased shot attempts and an uptick in his usage rating.
Last season he registered 19 points, 3.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. As noted in our earlier article there is a ton of production up for grabs with seven core producers exiting. SGA is likely to claim portions of the 83.7 points, 31.1 rebounds, and 17.4 assists lost via those exits.
Bleacher Report scribes pick SGA in their top 10 fantasy guard selections
Consequently, the Canadian will face new adversity this season as opponents make him their top priority in game plan preparation. Yet, Theo Salaun of Bleacher Report is confident he’ll make the leap as his recent article included SGA in his top-10 point guard fantasy basketball picks. Salaun ranked SGA ninth among the top 10 point guard selections placing him ahead of playoff standout and fellow Canadian Jamal Murray as well as former mentor Chris Paul.
The nine point guards ranked ahead of Gilgeous-Alexander are Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, Trae Young, Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, Ben Simmons, and Russell Westbrook.
Salaun astutely notes the point guard group could witness a variety of players stepping up in fantasy either due to increased roles like SGA or being in new situations (Westbrook, Paul)
"The point guards are an interesting group this season, as they break apart into shaky tiers. The first tier, from Doncic at No. 1 to Irving at No. 5, feels pretty clear. Morant, though, feels like a wild-card candidate to erupt into the top group, giving him a tier of his own at No. 6. Then a tier of two emerges with poor shooters, but stat-sheet-stuffers, in Simmons and Westbrook.Past them, the third tier can extend all the way outside of the top 10. Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray could have great seasons, but Jrue Holiday, Chris Paul, De’Aaron Fox and D’Angelo Russell are all fantastic options who could take a step thanks to new environments or added experience. Each could provide value at the one, especially if available in the later rounds."
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None of the other OKC Thunder players make the cut which frankly seems a little short sighted given the noted production (above) that needs to be replaced.
Jake Rill also of Bleacher Report likes Gilgeous-Alexander even more than Salaun ranking him fifth but not as a point guard. Rill places SGA in the shooting guard group.
Ranking ahead of SGA is James Harden, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Donovan Mitchell. Rounding out Rill’s top 10 fantasy shooting guards are Fred VanVleet, DeMar DeRozan, CJ McCollum, Zach LaVine, and Victor Oladipo. Like Salaun, Rill doesn’t have any other OKC Thunder players in his top 10 positional categories.
Also of note, the fantasy selections are based on a nine-category format. As per typical nine cat leagues that would include points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, 3-pointers percentage for field goals and free throws, and the ever present negative of turnovers.
The Bleacher Report article by Salaun also offers the ideal first-round mock draft and advises this season could be impacted by the pandemic and other circumstances such as load management.