3 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blockbuster trades that will never happen

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the current NBA MVP. He is well on his way to winning that award as the NBA’s best player for the second straight season. The Oklahoma City Thunder The guard has 32 points per game and leads the best team in the NBA. Gilgeous-Alexander has even exceeded the number of 30 points per game for four seasons in a row, and he led the Thunder to their first league victory last season.

It’s safe to say that the Kentucky product is safe from the trade. Not only does Gilgeous-Alexander’s production and talent level speak for themselves, but the Thunder aren’t in a position where they even have to consider trading him. The Thunder obviously have a championship core, but they’re also loaded with young prospects and future first-round picks. They can continue to surround their MVP with players on rookie contracts, and they can be in charge customers who can trade their premium draft capital whenever they want it.

Sam Presti is clearly one of the greatest general managers ever, and if he ever considered a Gilgeous-Alexander trade, fans would have to assume he knew what he was doing. Here are three unrealistic trades involving Gilgeous-Alexander that won’t happen, because he really isn’t tradable, but trades that are still fun to think about.

Hornets get: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder receives: LaMelo Ball, four first-round picks

Gilgeous-Alexander is 6 feet tall, which qualifies him as a jumbo guard. He can go downhill and score at an elite level, and his ability to draw contact is second to none. Gilgeous-Alexander even has an elite mid-range shot and a ton of defense from the point of attack. LaMelo Ball would be a lower rating for the Thunder compared to Gilgeous-Alexander, but the team wouldn’t have to change the way they do business too much if the two were to switch places.

The ball is similarly high for the position of main defender. The 6-foot-7 playmaker finds creative ways to get his teammates involved and can score plenty of goals himself. even so Ball found his name in trade rumors before 2026 NBA trade deadline. The Charlotte Hornets want to become a winning team, so they would love to get their hands on the reigning NBA Finals MVP.

Meanwhile, the Thunder would have to see value behind trading Gilgeous-Alexander for Ball if it meant adding four more future first-round picks. The Thunder wouldn’t do that, but they built their team from trading proven stars for young players with potential and surplus picks.

Networks receive: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder receives: Michael Porter Jr., Ben Saraf, four first-round picks

The Brooklyn Nets have their draft picks ready and it looks like they’re ready to make a big move. That’s why the team was already there linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, a Gilgeous-Alexander trade would be even better. Based on their results in the 2025 NBA Draft, where three of their five first-round picks were used on downhill guards, it’s clear the Nets have a style of play they want to implement going forward.

No one fits that style better than Gilgeous-Alexander. This trade would cost the Nets a lot. Four first round picks, one of the aforementioned rookies and the new and improved Michael Porter Jr. is a pretty penny to give up in a trade. Still, it would be more than worth it for the Nets.

They need a leader who can show the young guys how to win. Porter found success in Brooklyn as he was given the final green light. There’s no telling what numbers MVP could run with similar freedom. Again, there is no way the Thunder will make this trade. They have enough picks as they are, and while they’ll continue to make moves on the fringes to add to their collection of picks, there’s just no way they’re going to give up their best player at this point.

Grizzlies get: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder receives: Ja Morant, Zach Edey, five first round picks

Gilgeous-Alexander is clearly one of the faces of the NBA. Not so long ago, Ja Morant was seen in a similar light. Suspensions, injuries and regressed play caused Morant to fall from grace and become trade candidate Memphis Grizzlies.

Even so, the former All-Star is only 26 years old and could return to form as one of the best young stars in the NBA after a change of scene. The Grizzlies also have backup draft picks after picking up four first-rounders in their Desmond Bain trade. Just a team sent Jaren Jackson Jr for even more capital. In addition, Zach Eddy’s size and interior dominance must be intriguing to anyone.

Again, the Thunder wouldn’t actually make this trade. This is a huge offer, but there is too much uncertainty surrounding the Grizzlies’ trade package. Morant may not have the winning style of play and may continue to struggle with decisions off the field, Edey already had injury problems, which is concerning for a player his size, and draft picks don’t always work out. Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP, so he’s not going anywhere.