If the Oklahoma City Thunder go deep in the 2025 NBA playoffs, Chet Holmgren will be a vital piece. The 23-year-old aced through one round of tests as he was one of the first-seed's best players in a Round 1 sweep over the Memphis Grizzlies.

It is fair to say that Gilgeous-Alexander has eclipsed the highest peak that George ever hit as a player in the NBA. That alone made this trade a clear-cut victory for the Thunder. The MVP candidate was asked about how potentially facing the team who discarded him would make motivate him. Gilgeous-Alexander was blunt in his response.

Like a pick-your-own-adventure book, either possibility ensures juicy storylines to follow. In Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's case, it'll either be against his direct competition for the MVP award or against his old squad that shipped him in one of the most shocking NBA trades in recent history.