Lou Williams reveals how he saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP potential as rookie

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP résumé didn’t start with a bang-he entered the NBA as a 20-year-old rookie in 2018-19 and averaged just 10.8 points in 73 starts. But Lou Williams, then a 32-year-old Sixth Man of the Year with the Los Angeles Clippers, saw something special in the Canadian guard right away.

What did Lou Williams say about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

Williams admitted he never wanted the Clippers to trade Gilgeous-Alexander after his rookie season. The trade happened in July 2019 when Los Angeles sent SGA to Oklahoma City to land Paul George. Williams told reporters he asked the front office one question the moment he heard about the deal: *“Was Shai in the trade?”*

The answer was yes. And Williams wasn’t happy.

*“That was the first thing I asked because that's how much I believed in him as a rookie,”* Williams said. *“He was one of the first young rookies I was ever on a team with, and I was like, 'Hey, that boy there is a star.'”*

Why did Lou Williams believe in Shai so early?

Williams didn’t just see talent-he saw work ethic. He recalled walking into the locker room after a tough game, ice on his knees and feet soaking, only to watch Gilgeous-Alexander lace up and demand extra shooting.

*“I said, 'Come on, y'all. Let's go get 15 more minutes of shots up,'”* Williams remembered. *“He didn't look at me. He didn't challenge me. He didn't read the room. Nothing. That motherf-ker just started lacing his shoes back up.”*

For Williams, that relentless grind signaled a future MVP. He pointed to Gilgeous-Alexander’s coachability, toughness, and basketball IQ as traits that set him apart from other young stars.

What happened after the trade?

The Clippers sent Gilgeous-Alexander to Oklahoma City on July 10, 2019, as part of the package for Paul George. The move ended his rookie season in L.A. and launched him into a new chapter in OKC. Williams stayed with the Clippers for one more year before retiring in 2020.

Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t slow down after the trade. He improved every season, made his first All-Star team in 2020-21, and became a two-time MVP in 2022-23 while leading the Thunder to the playoffs.

What does this mean for Shai’s legacy?

Williams’ early endorsement carries weight because he’s seen dozens of young players come and go. His belief in Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t just hype-it was rooted in what he saw on the court.

*“In our game, you want your young star to be coachable. You want him to be a worker. You want him to be one of the guys. You want him to be the toughest. You want him to be the smartest,”* Williams said. *“SGA is all of those things.”*

Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise from unheralded rookie to MVP and champion proves Williams wasn’t wrong.