Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, and LeBron James—all are historic players, even if for some of them, their playing days play on. All of them have reached the highest of heights in the NBA and will always be legendary. They’re also the four names that NBA insider Tim MacMahon recently proclaimed as those who Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may join in the future in the same legendary conversations. Of course, with one championship down, there will have to be a few more to go for SGA to even set one foot on the hallowed grounds of someone like Jordan, for instance. The Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be in a prime position to chase down more rings, and their current trajectory could be what catapults SGA into the conversation MacMahon adamantly believes he should be in one day.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Tabbed to Reach Future Legendary Status
NBA Insider Tim McMahon believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a future amongst historic players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
While the G.O.A.T status will likely forever include just Jordan and LeBron (although Shaquille O’Neal will always argue that Kobe must be included), Gilgeous-Alexander has a pathway in front of him that can one day draw his name equal to a degree with them and others. He’s already a superstar with a ring. He’s also already an MVP (both in the regular season and finals). On top of those, he’s young and simply one of the most gifted and talented players in the league today.
The question is, how historic can SGA become? How historic can the Thunder become with him steering the ship? It wasn’t long ago that Curry and the Golden State Warriors were the NBA dynasty to watch. Perhaps, this past season, OKC gave us a glimpse of picking up where Golden State left off. MacMahon, while speaking on his conjoined weekly podcast alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, The Hoop Collective, stated that by the way things are shaping up for SGA and the Thunder, he does not doubt in his mind that down the road, SGA’s aura will reach the levels of some of the greats.
“Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander one of those guys? Is he Kobe [Bryant]? Is he a [Michael] Jordan? Is he LeBron [James]? Is he Steph [Curry]? Is he in that level of historical company? And can the Thunder continue putting a championship caliber supporting cast around him? My answer would be yes on both counts,” MacMahon said while the trio of NBA analysts discussed the Thunder organization.
Repeating is incredibly hard, but OKC may be the team best positioned to do it
No one could blame you if you pegged the Boston Celtics to repeat as champions last year. The same could be said for the Denver Nuggets two years prior. No one has repeated since the Warriors did in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. It’s not an easy undertaking. Yet, there is this certain vibe with OKC that makes you want to believe that the NBA could be on the verge of another repeat situation. Furthermore, another dynasty in the making.
Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) stands during the national anthem before the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Several factors give OKC an advantage to pull it off a repeat next season. One of those advantages is the structural identity of the Thunder. Sam Presti is one of, if not the, top executive in the league. What’s even more scary is that the Thunder are returning the same roster that just hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in the air. OKC is the superior team not just in the West, but in the entirety of the NBA. Golden State held that status not long ago; now, it may be OKC’s turn.
If that is what the future holds for the Thunder, then SGA unquestionably has a chance to reach the same heights that Jordan and Kobe did in the past, and what LeBron and Curry are still doing today.