As training camps are set to start within a month, NBA players from across the globe have put the finishing touches on their offseason homework. The summertime is when you see players make the biggest strides in their personal development.
The lack of a day-to-day schedule gives NBA players a chance to fully focus on their development for three-plus months. It’s this invisible work that separates the top of the league from the bottom. That includes the MVP winner as he enjoys a championship.
After the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the Larry O’Brien trophy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made up for lost time from their lengthy championship playoff run that ended in late June. He’s had time to return home to Canada and conduct his offseason workouts.
Working out with personal NBA trainer Nem Ilic, Gilgeous-Alexander has invited other players across the league to improve together. In a social media post, a recent workout included his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker and former Thunder teammate Tre Mann.
The Thunder added Mann with the No. 18 pick of the 2021 NBA draft. He showed flashes as a primary scorer, but was never able to get consistent opportunities in OKC. He was ultimately traded to the Hornets at the 2024 NBA trade deadline.
Even though it’s been two years since Gilgeous-Alexander and Mann were teammates, their two-and-a-half seasons together in OKC clearly built a relationship. The latter had his 2024-25 season ruined by a back injury that limited him to 13 games.
It’s a shame, too. Mann looked like he was primed for a breakout season. The 24-year-old received some early buzz for Sixth Man of the Year on the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 14.1 points, three assists and 2.9 rebounds. Despite his short tenure, his new NBA team liked what they saw.
The Hornets signed Mann to a three-year, $24 million contract extension this offseason. They have confidence that he could bounce back. If he can learn from Gilgeous-Alexander, that’s an easy bet to make. Always good to have the MVP as your offseason workout buddy.