Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are both more comfortable with the ball in their hands, but comments made by head coach Mark Daigneault after the two guards played together on Thursday strongly suggest the Thunder ultimately view Giddey as their primary initiator, writes Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman.
As Mussatto details, Gilgeous-Alexander will be still be the Thunder’s primary scorer, but it sounds like the team wants to get him more comfortable playing off-ball, as he did earlier in his career when Chris Paul and Dennis Schröder were on the roster.
“(Giddey’s) a really good initiator, he’s a really good creator and we’ve gotta use that part of his game to unlock the potential of the team,” Daigneault said. “It’s gonna require Shai to make some plays off the ball a little bit, where he’s driving close-outs, where he’s shooting open shots — but it’s also gonna take some load off of Shai. He’s not gonna have to work as hard.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who advocated for the signing of DeMarcus Cousins earlier this season, is thrilled to have the veteran big man under contract for the rest of the season, says Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “His personality is really important,” Malone said of Cousins. “He is a voice. He’s a personality, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. That can be refreshing at times because we have a locker room of great guys, but who are not always willing to police each other.”
- Having been signed for the rest of the season following a series of 10-day deals, Danuel House is looking to repay the Jazz‘s investment in him with his play on the court, writes Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune. “This is a good organization. And they believe so much in me, they’re pouring into me,” House said. “So my job is, if they’re pouring into me, to make sure that when the water hits the glass, make sure it’s purified enough for us to drink.”
- Timberwolves two-way player McKinley Wright IV, who is dealing with a left UCL injury, is moving closer toward returning to action after getting his splint taken off, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Wolfson estimates that Wright will be playing for the Iowa Wolves – Minnesota’s G League affiliate – in another week or two. The rookie guard has appeared in just three NBA games this season.
That is the right call to give the ball to Giddey, what a steal he was in the draft at #6, can you believe Sucks got picked before him by ORL!!! SMH!
“So my job is, if they’re pouring into me, to make sure that when the water hits the glass, make sure it’s purified enough for us to drink.”
Congrats to Danuel House, winner of NBA Player Quote of the Year! Basketbawful.com would have had a field day with this one. I miss that site!
Was that sarcasm? Metaphors are hard, metaphoric phrases harder.
The thunder have to look at Paul and Booker as the model for how they should play going forward
Shai if he was in a bigger market on a winning team would get so much more attention. He’s so cool calm and collected. Great fashion and swag, great basketball player, can do it all on the court.
I think he ends up being traded at some stage, Thunder rebuild is a long term thing and I think he’s ready to showcase his skills now.
With the team wanting to give Giddey more touches I think it’ll only speed things up on that front.
Could see Shai next to LaMelo in Charlotte for a package likely of Rozier, Bouknight and picks.
Shai has to get out. Obligations from that contract over. No chance at a podition reversal… Giddey has to be the PG or OKC will never get his full value out of him.
Shai for return of maybe Hayward, Bouknight, an unprotected first and a top 20 protected first would be a great return.
Hornets line up Ball Shai Bridges McDaniels and Whiteside (FA). Off the bench Rozier Oubre Brown (draft pick) Washington and Plumblee. Shai and Ball will be one of the best backcourts especially to watch. Think McDaniels will have a huge season. Harrell leaves but they get Whiteside for cheap interior defence. Heaps of impact off the bench with Rozier and Oubre.
OKC line up, Giddey Ivey (draft pick) Dort Hayward and Robinson (FA) and a bench of Mann/Jerome Bouknight/Wiggins Griffin (draft pick) Bazley and JRE/Puko. That backcourt of Giddey and Ivey will be special and Robinson will protect the rim and clean up the boards. Off the bench Bouknight will get an opportunity and Griffin will look like the steal of the draft. Loads of depth in OKC
Lol….Shai ain’t goin anywhere. No matter how badly you want him too. You can revisit this in 2026 when he’s a year away from FA. Til then, enjoy watching him on OKC.