Knicks could turn to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after missing on Donovan Mitchell

The NBA is a non-stop drama factory, which was made even more apparent when Donovan Mitchell was unexpectedly traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the first day of September. Mitchell, who starred at Louisville from 2015-17, had previously been connected to the New York Knicks for months — years even. But the Cavaliers popped in at the perfect time when New York couldn’t work out a trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire Mitchell earlier in the week.

Now, the Knicks, swinging and missing on yet another All-Star target, have to readjust after it had been assumed for weeks that Mitchell was coming to the Big Apple. How do they plan to go about that? According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, by focusing on former Kentucky Wildcat and current Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In the wake of Mitchell being shipped off to Cleveland, Berman noted that the Knicks will be turning its attention to the “next disgruntled player,” mentioning SGA as the prime candidate.

“The Knicks will be on the lookout for the next disgruntled player who goes on the trading block with Oklahoma City point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander previously mentioned. Ironically, the Knicks passed on him in the 2108 draft, much like they whiffed on Mitchell in 2017. Gilgeous-Alexander could be a better fit with Brunson than Mitchell.”

Marc Berman, New York Post

From a Kentucky fan’s perspective, the Knicks could be a great landing spot for Gilgeous-Alexander, who would team up alongside fellow former ‘Cats Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley in New York. It would provide SGA with a bigger stage to showcase his budding talents and a chance to compete for wins.

But how likely is it that the Thunder get rid of a centerpiece player?

SGA has played just 91 games over the last two seasons with OKC as the franchise continues to tank for high draft picks. Following the news that the Thunder’s No. 2 pick, Chet Holmgren, is out for the year with an injury, this might not be the season that the team guns for a playoff spot. But OKC has Gilgeous-Alexander locked under contract until 2006-27.

Even if he were unhappy with his situation, demanding a trade out of OKC might not go as he intends (see Kevin Durant’s recent trade request). And New York would have to unload a treasure chest of assets to land SGA, which they were reluctant of doing in the deal that lost them Mitchell.

Throughout his four NBA seasons (one with the LA Clippers, the last three in OKC), Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from distance. He has yet to make an All-Star Game yet, but at the ripe age of 24 years old and still not yet in his prime, his time is coming sooner rather than later.