What happened: The NBA marked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 28th birthday on Sunday. The recognition comes during the Thunder's offseason as the team reshapes its roster ahead of 2026-27.
Why it matters: Gilgeous-Alexander enters the new season as the reigning 2025-26 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year, the league's top late-game performer last year. He's also spoken publicly on Leonard's arrival raising the stakes for Canada's roster, a signal of the expectations now attached to his own team's offseason moves.
By the numbers: Gilgeous-Alexander was named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year, the league's highest individual late-game honor for that season.
What to watch: Attention turns to how the Thunder retool their roster before training camp opens for the 2026-27 season.