The NBA season is now halfway through, and it’s one of the most unexpected seasons in the history of the league. It all began with the Luka Dončić-for-Anthony Davis trade, which set the tone. As the trade deadline came to a close, several other teams followed suit, making waves throughout the league. These moves left players in shock, and many voiced their opinions.
With the season at its midpoint, mid-season award predictions are flooding in. Whether it’s Coach of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, or Comeback Player of the Year, these discussions are now front and center. By now, the top five candidates for each award are already taking shape.
Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets has won the MVP trophy three times in the last four seasons. This year, however, it looks like there may be a new sheriff in town, barring any setbacks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is currently the frontrunner for the prestigious award. Alexander is a gifted player leading the No. 1 team in the West, and he’s one of the most shifty athletes in the league. The Thunder phenom is putting up video game-like numbers, averaging 32.5 points, 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and nearly 2 steals per game.
On Tuesday night, Alexander did the unthinkable when it was revealed that he had parted ways with his representation. The decision means he will now serve as his own agent—an extremely rare move in the NBA. It was later revealed that while Alexander is handling his basketball-related negotiations on his own, he has kept his agent for social media and marketing projects.
Alexander is one of the brightest young stars in the game, and his decision could potentially spark a new trend in the league. Whether more players will follow suit or whether Alexander simply feels confident in his position as one of the league’s best, only time will tell.