Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear to Canada's head coach Gordie Herbert that he wants to play off the ball while playing for the national team.
What happened?
He scored 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting as Canada routed Puerto Rico 110-84.
Herbert said Gilgeous-Alexander is tougher to guard off the ball.
The 27-year-old Thunder guard finished the 2025-26 NBA season with a usage rate of 33.2%, placing him fourth in the league.
Why it matters for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander's development as an off-ball player will help the Thunder's cause for next season, especially with increased responsibilities for Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace.
Mitchell has been the second-best on-ball creator for the Thunder in the playoffs, after Jalen Williams went down with a hamstring injury.
What comes next?
Gilgeous-Alexander's growth as an off-ball player will be an intriguing subplot for the Thunder's offseason, as he looks to improve his game and help his team succeed.
The Thunder is set to increase responsibilities for the likes of Mitchell and Wallace next season, and Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to play off the ball will be crucial in their development.
Gilgeous-Alexander won his second straight MVP award in the 2025-2026 NBA season, tallying 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game across 68 regular-season appearances.
He shot 55.3% from the field, making him one of the most dominant players in the league.
How does this help the OKC Thunder?
Gilgeous-Alexander playing off the ball helps the Thunder's cause for next season, as it allows him to gain reps as an off-ball player and helps the development of Mitchell and Wallace.
The Thunder's offense will benefit from Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to play off the ball, as it will create more scoring opportunities for the team.
Gilgeous-Alexander's growth as a player will be exciting to watch, as he looks to lead the Thunder to success in the upcoming season.