If the Oklahoma City Thunder go deep in the 2025 NBA playoffs, Chet Holmgren will be a vital piece. The 23-year-old aced through one round of tests as he was one of the first-seed's best players in a Round 1 sweep over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Like a pick-your-own-adventure book, either possibility ensures juicy storylines to follow. In Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's case, it'll either be against his direct competition for the MVP award or against his old squad that shipped him in one of the most shocking NBA trades in recent history.

It is fair to say that Gilgeous-Alexander has eclipsed the highest peak that George ever hit as a player in the NBA. That alone made this trade a clear-cut victory for the Thunder. The MVP candidate was asked about how potentially facing the team who discarded him would make motivate him. Gilgeous-Alexander was blunt in his response.