Rival Execs Have 'Given up Hope' of Potential Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Trade

Last offseason, there wasn't enough news in the cycle. Rumbles about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander potentially wanting to ask out of Oklahoma City were rumbling, essentially predicting a negative season from the Thunder.

After averaging 31.4 points per game on 51 percent efficiency from the field and the Thunder winning 40 games -- a 16-win jump from the previous season -- it's safe to say Gilgeous-Alexander played his way out of those rumors.

Now, the Thunder seems to be on the opposite end of the spectrum. They're in the rumors to be in the market for other potentially disgruntled stars. Sam Amick of The Athletic breaks it down.

"In terms of the possibilities that lie ahead, there’s this massive factor too: OKC still has all those draft picks that Presti piled up in recent years. Come trade deadline time, having that sort of asset haul tends to open up all kinds of tantalizing conversations," Amick writes. "It all starts with SGA, though. And yes, in case anyone wondered, 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."

Last season made a couple of things abundantly clear -- the Thunder is ready to take another leap and Gilgeous-Alexander is able to play his game which results in winning.

Any concern for Gilgeous-Alexander's long-term situation with the team was essentially put to bed simply by the on-court product -- and it's a bonus that this team has tight chemistry together.

The Thunder has been incredibly keen on taking this rebuild on step at a time, and Gilgeous-Alexander voiced his confidence in the process and plan. This has been proving to work out so far, and it seems that rival executives are beginning to take notice.

All things considered, the Thunder is on an up-and-coming trajectory that could see them playing more postseason basketball this season.

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