Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has firmly established himself as a top NBA talent following a remarkable season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After missing out on the MVP and playoff success last year, the seven-year guard elevated his game further by securing a scoring title with an impressive 32.7 points per game at highly efficient shooting splits of 52% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 89% from the free-throw line. His leadership helped propel the Thunder to dominate the Western Conference, showcasing that their success was no mere fluke.

SGA’s accomplishments this year included multiple All-NBA First Team honors and three All-Star selections, cementing his status among basketball’s elite. However, even as the Thunder secured their first championship in franchise history, debates have emerged about whether Gilgeous-Alexander’s achievements so far qualify him as Oklahoma City’s greatest player ever.

Dwyane Wade’s Perspective on OKC’s Greatest Player Debate

NBA Hall of Famer and analyst Dwyane Wade praised Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates for reaching the sport’s highest achievement. Still, Wade remains convinced that Russell Westbrook holds the title of Oklahoma City’s greatest player to date. Reflecting on Westbrook’s accomplishments, Wade highlighted the significance of Westbrook’s MVP award, NBA championship, and Finals MVP honors during his time with the Thunder.

Personally, I still think that Russell Westbrook is the greatest player in Oklahoma City history right now,

Wade said on his show.

Doesn’t mean he’s always going to end up that way. But to me, I still believe that. You can’t tell me that a player can come through Miami right now, win a regular season MVP, and win a Finals and Finals MVP, and he just becomes the greatest player in Miami history.

—Dwyane Wade, Hall of Famer and Analyst

What This Means for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC’s Future

While Gilgeous-Alexander has crafted one of the most impressive individual seasons of recent years and led the Thunder to a championship, Dwyane Wade’s comments underline that legacy in a franchise with historic stars is measured not only by peak performance but also by lasting impact and context within the team’s broader history. As SGA continues to shine and add milestones, debates about the greatest player in Oklahoma City will evolve alongside his career and the team’s future success.