Is SGA Having the Best Season in Thunder History?

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being the MVP favorite, how does he stack up against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s former MVPs?

Oklahoma City’s previous MVPs have been Kevin Durant (2013-14) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17).

Team Success

OKC is currently on pace for 66 wins— seven more than KD and 19 more than Westbrook.

Since offensive and defensive ratings have fluctuated so much since KD and Russ’s MVP seasons, it seems more fair to use relative ratings to the rest of the league. The Shai-led OKC has a relative offensive rating of 5.0 and a relative defensive rating of -7.6.

These are far higher than the 2014 Thunder (3.8 and -2.8) and the 2017 Thunder (-0.5 and -1.8). The 2025 OKC team has a higher net rating than the other two teams combined (+12.7 compared to +0.8 and +6.6). 2025 Thunder also have the highest league ranking in points per game (fourth) and opponent points per game (second).

Player Stats

All three are pretty even in scoring, with Russ and KD winning the scoring title and Shai on pace to win it.

Westbrook has the clear advantage in rebounds and assists, averaging a triple-double. Shai leads the three in steals and blocks. Shai leads them all in true shooting percentage (64.2%), player efficiency rating (30.8), field goal percentage (52.4%), and box plus minus (11.5).

KD leads them all in three point percentage (39.1%) and offensive box plus minus (8.8). Russ leads them all in usage percentage (41.7%), assist percentage (57.3%), three pointers made per game (2.5), and free throws made per game (8.8).

This may seem like a lot of random numbers assigned to each player, but here is a simple way of explaining them: Shai is the most efficient of the three and has the best defensive stats. Westbrook leads them all in raw numbers, mainly due to his usage compared to the other two. Finally, KD wasn’t leading in many categories but was neck and neck with the other two in various categories.

Circumstances

With all three players in different situations, it is essential to remember who was around them.

At face value, Shai seems to have the best roster, with all-star Jalen Williams, one of the best young talents in the league, Chet Holmgren, and many great role players. But Chet has missed most of this season with a hip injury, and role players like Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell have also missed significant time.

OKC was short on reliable players, with Westbrook only playing 46 games in KD’s MVP year. Serge Ibaka was a top four finalist in DPOY, and Reggie Jackson finished in the top five for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Outside of those two players, KD could only rely on himself. Despite the Westbrook injury, KD still led the Thunder to 59 wins and first in the Western Conference.

With the major headline of KD leaving the Thunder in the offseason before Westbrook’s MVP year, it was clear that OKC would not have another star on the team. Sure, they had some good role players like Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo, but it shouldn’t have been enough to make the playoffs. However, OKC still finished sixth in the Western Conference through all of that.

Who’s the Best?

They all have great cases to be considered the greatest season in Thunder history, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes the gold.

Shai has the most efficient scoring and, by far, the best defense, and has led the team to the most wins. This may get pushback due to the cinematic storylines of Westbrook’s MVP year, or the nostalgia of KD, but Shai is like nothing we have ever seen before.

With enough time, and possibly a championship, Shai can become the greatest player in Thunder history.