Boston Celtics legend praises 24-year-old All-Star for ‘MVP type numbers’
Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett couldn’t help but praise Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for putting up MVP-type numbers during the 2022-23 season after he put up 34 points, five assists, and five rebounds in a 101-99 win against the Denver Nuggets on January 22.
Gilgeous-Alexander has had averages this season of 30/5/5, so Sunday night was right on par for the Thunder’s first-time All-Star — he hasn’t officially been named one this season, but SGA being snubbed would be an all-time gaffe from voters. With OKC sharing the same record as the No. 10 seeded Golden State Warriors, there’s a legitimate chance the rebuilding Thunder, one missing its No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren, the MVP talk could be justified by season’s end if they continue climbing.
Here was Garnett’s tweet, which blessed the current/next generation of NBA stars beyond just Gilgeous-Alexander:
Those are MVP type numbers in a normal year that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is puttin up in OKC… and it’s high IQ and efficient than a mf!
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) January 23, 2023
These young guys are gonna do the league right. We good…
Recent mock trade proposal lands Jaylen Brown on Thunder, Trae Young on Boston Celtics
In a recent mock trade proposal from NBA Analysis Network, Jaylen Brown ended up on the Oklahoma City Thunder, Trae Young ended up in Boston, and Josh Giddey, plenty of draft capital, and salary filler were sent to the Atlanta Hawks.
Here was James Piercey’s proposal:
"Atlanta Hawks receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, G Josh Giddey, F David Nwaba, F/C Darius Bazley, 2023 First-Round Pick (OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (BOS), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (BOS), 2027 First-Round Pick (DEN via OKC)Boston Celtics receive: G Trae YoungOklahoma City Thunder receive: G/F Jaylen Brown"
Would this deal happen? Absolutely not considering the Celtics’ current momentum. If something catastrophic happened, perhaps the offseason would be a thought, but the price Boston would be paying in this deal is a non-starter. If the Cs were to ever part with Jaylen Brown in such an arrangement involving the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would have to be a part of it.
Even then, the Cs are better off with Brown.