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Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be a Rookie of the Year finalist

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: NBA Draft Prospect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: NBA Draft Prospect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers have two first-round picks on the roster in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson. One of which will thrive in year one.

The Los Angeles Clippers made some interesting moves in the 2018 NBA Draft. The one move that we can wholeheartedly agree with is moving up one spot to make sure that the team landed point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander is an explosive point guard that probably should have been a high lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, due to the hype around Collin Sexton, Trae Young and Luka Doncic, and the surplus of big men, Gilgeous-Alexander fell to 11th overall.

In terms of first-year production, Gilgeous-Alexander may be the second-best guard behind Doncic. Not only will Gilgeous-Alexander turn some heads, if he is given the ability to run the offense, he will also finish as a rookie of the year finalist.

Right now, OddsShark reports that Gilgeous-Alexander’s odds of winning the Rookie of the Year award are +4000 (40/1). To compare, Doncic is at +300 (3/1), Young is at +700 (7/1) and Sexton is +2200 (22/1).

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What makes Gilgeous-Alexander such a good pick for the reward is his all-around skill set and the team that he is currently on. The Clippers are on a bit of a micro tank; they are good enough to be decent but the front office knows that the chances of winning a title are slim t none.

Because of that, the front office will likely maintain the current group of guys which will not only take pressure off of Gilgeous-Alexander but gives him tools to distribute to. If Gilgeous-Alexander was the number one guy with not much around him, like Young, his production may be hindered.

However, with guys around him and an explosive skill set, the sky really is the limit for Gilgeous-Alexander in year one.

His performance in the NBA Summer League should be a telling sign. Against the Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Overall, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Gilgeous-Alexander will have an impact in all areas of the game, he is a great scorer and rebounder for a point guard and will naturally see an uptick in his assists with better guys around him. While he may not be a lockdown defender, he will be a sneaky good defender at the NBA level as well.

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All in all, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most promising and exciting rookies to watch for during the 2018-2019 season. If he ends up winning the Rookie of the Year award, I’ll be sure to brag about it and link back to this article repeatedly.

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