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LA Clippers Rumors: Team Showing Faith in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With talks of trading for Anthony Davis circulating, the LA Clippers have shown they have faith in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by not including him in talks.

Everyone and their mother has been making mock trades for Anthony Davis. With the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics and Clippers all interested in him, there have been no shortage of rumored packages. However, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not be a part of any package that the LA Clippers put together.

This is meaningful news on several levels. First off, the Clippers likely won’t be able to beat other team’s packages without including a ton of future draft picks. Many thought that either one (or both) of Shai and Landry Shamet would have to be included in any deal for AD.

We wrote yesterday on how this was one of several reasons why trading for Davis just didn’t make sense for the Clips, so it is a relief to see that the front office shares the sentiment.

Getting Davis may still be in the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely, but building a stronger relationship with Shai might be equally important. It’s been storied many times how constant trade rumors affected the young Lakers players, so having that peace of mind for SGA is great.

On another level, this unofficial statement shows the level of trust and faith that the team as in Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai showed a bunch of promise in his rookie season, making the All-Rookie Second Team (along with Shamet). He grew throughout the year and looked unafraid of the moment when matched up against Steph Curry in the first round of the playoffs.

While he may not have looked as great as fellow rookies Luka Doncic and Trae Young, SGA flashed All-Star potential. He will need to add some size this offseason as well as continue to work on his shot, but if he can put it all together, he can become a real floor general.

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The Clippers wanted Shai from the get go, trading up for him on draft night. Their intent to keep him with the team as long as possible is an indication that they still think he was worth the move.

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