Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Kendrick Perkins Says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the Best Thunder Player if He Wins NBA Championship

Kendrick Perkins makes a bold claim about SGA.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Former Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins made a bold claim about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Perkins said that the NBA MVP 2025 will be the franchise’s best player if the Thunder win the championship this year. Notably, SGA led the Thunder to their first ever NBA Finals appearance in 12 years by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. They will clash against the winner of the Indiana Pacers-New York Knicks for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.

As Oklahoma City awaits its rival for the summit clash, the player-turned-analyst made a bold claim about SGA. He said, “He will be the greatest Thunder ever. Yes, past Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. [His] third consecutive season averaging over 30, shooting over 50% from the field, scoring title, MVP, Conference [Finals] MVP, going to the NBA Finals, winning a championship, and he’s gonna win Finals MVP.”

.@KendrickPerkins says SGA would be the "greatest Thunder ever" if he wins the NBA Finals 👀

"Yes, past Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook." pic.twitter.com/6KErbpIbPN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 30, 2025

NBA Championship Would Get SGA Superstar Title, Claims Perkins

Perkins also added that the championship title will get him the superstar tag along with other stalwarts in the NBA. The 2008 champion said, “Secondly, he would get his superstar jacket. And sit at the table with LeBron James, [Nikola] Jokic, [Stephen] Curry, [Kevin Durant] and Giannis [Antetokounmpo].”

The former NBA star went on to say that the championship would add to Gilgeous-Alexander’s legacy. Perkins concluded by saying, “Enter in that room of being a legit superstar because he has checked all the boxes, and there’s nothing else for him to do but add to his legacy.”

Notably, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game in the 2024-25 regular season. In the playoffs, he has been averaging 29.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per contest. In addition, the 26-year-old defeated Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the NBA MVP 2025 as well as the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP.

Kendrick Perkins

Shai Gilgeous Alexander

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.