Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits huge motivation about facing his former Clippers team

Andrei de Guzman

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits huge motivation about facing his former Clippers team image

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has one of the most fascinating paths a player can ever have in NBA history. 

In 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander started his career as a lanky, yet promising rookie for the Los Angeles Clippers. But a season later, he was eventually dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder as a part of the Paul George blockbuster trade.

In OKC, Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed into a perennial All-Star. He seized a meteoric rise and became one of the best players in the world, winning the 2024-25 MVP award while bannering this year’s NBA championship by the Thunder franchise.

Regardless of how things have successfully transpired for him after his Clippers trade exit, Gilgeous-Alexander remains motivated about facing his former NBA team.

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“The Clippers came into town and I would be lying to you if I tell you I didn't get up to play the Clippers every time, for obvious reasons,” the reigning MVP confessed in Starting 5 Season 2. “ … I wanted to make sure when it’s all said and done, OKC won the trade.”

Considering that he and the Thunder have won an NBA title, Gilgeous-Alexander has nothing to prove already. As such, the Clippers already lost the trade, as their gamble of trading for George didn’t translate to success.

From sending Gilgeous-Alexander and tons of first-round picks, LA went all-in by acquiring George to be the co-star with Kawhi Leonard, but the duo failed to deliver a championship to the Clippers throughout their five-year partnership. 

George ultimately left in last year’s offseason to join the Philadelphia 76ers, which made it clear that the Thunder have emerged victorious from the 2019 trade.

In the end, Gilgeous-Alexander can only leave his Clipper past behind as he and the Thunder are set to further flourish and dominate the NBA for years to come.

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Andrei de Guzman

Andrei de Guzman is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. His work has appeared on Basketball Network, Athlon Sports, TalkBasket.net and NBA Analysis Network. Based in the Philippines, Andrei graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a degree in Communication Research.