From trading chips to MVP: Alexander rewrites NBA history s "9 for 1" counterattack legend

Thunder star Shay Gilgers-Alexander was elected the 2024-25 regular season MVP without any suspense. With an epic data averaged 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1 block per game, he led the team to win the first record of 68 wins and 14 losses, becoming the third MVP in the Thunder team history after Durant and Westbrook, and is also the second Canadian player to win this honor after Nash.

Data God: Compared with Jordan's offensive and defensive dominance

Alexander's season performance is historical. He became the first player to contribute 30+5+5+1.5 steals and 1 blocks in a single season with a shooting percentage of more than 50%. He averaged 23.7 games on the offensive end (first in the league), and his singles efficiency was 1.24 points per round (first in history), and his total number of "steals + blocks" on the defensive end reached 208 times (third in the league), truly achieving an offense and defense integration of 310. Advanced data shows more dominance: his team's net efficiency value is as high as +17.9 when he is on the court, far exceeding Jokic (+12.1) and Antetokounmpo (+11.3).

9 for 1 transaction rewrites fate: From abandoned son to MVP

In 2019, in order to get Paul George, the Clippers packaged rookies Alexander and Garlinari, plus 5 first-round picks and 2 swap rights to the Thunder. At that time, this "9-for-1" transaction was regarded as a big bet by the Clippers, but now it has become the league's most famous "face slap case".

Thunder Perspective: Alexander quickly grew into the core of the team building, leading the team from a bottom-up in the reconstruction period to a championship-winning champion, and helped the Thunder get a total of 15 first-round picks through subsequent transactions, which can be called a "reconstruction textbook."

Clippers' Perspective: Although George helped the team enter the Western Conference Finals, he never won the championship. After leaving the team in 2024, the Clippers completely lost the capital to compete for the championship, and Alexander has been crowned the MVP. This deal was called "the most loss-making operation in history" by the US media.

International Player Domination and Salary Revolution

Alexander continues the monopoly of international players over MVP - this is the seventh consecutive year since Antetokounmpo in 2019, awarded by non-U.S. players. His rise also triggered a salary storm: he can sign a maximum salary of US$294 million for four years this summer. If the contract is renewed in 2026, the total contract amount will reach US$380 million for five years (average annual average of 86 million), setting a new record in NBA history.

Controversy and Future: The Art of Fouling and Dynasty Ambition

Although Alexander's "small-hit score" caused controversy (3.2 of 8.7 free throws per game were marked as controversial penalty), league data shows that 63% of its fouls were caused by the opponent's active infringement, which was the same as Harden's peak. Currently, the Thunder leads the Timberwolves 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals, and ESPN predicts that its probability of winning is 47%. If he successfully reaches the top, Alexander is expected to become the first player in the new century to win the scoring champion + MVP + FMVP in a single season, and join the ranks of the "one person, one city" legend.

Conclusion

From the 11th pick rookie abandoned by the Clippers to the MVP who is comparable to Jordan, Alexander's counterattack confirms the most cruel rule of survival in the NBA: true superstars are never defined by trade. This six-year "9-for-1" trading game was finally recorded in history with the Thunder's comprehensive victory - they not only won the present, but also held the next 15 first-round picks, writing the counterattack myth of the teams in the small-scale market.