It is easy for Raptors fans to have this one dream scenario in mind: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander eventually coming home.
It makes total sense. He’s Canadian, he’s one of the best players in the NBA, and the Toronto Raptors remain the only team in the league representing the country. However, according to his father, Vaughan Alexander, a return to Toronto doesn’t seem likely. At least for right now.
Speaking on the No Flukes podcast, Alexander explained why he believes his son is in the perfect situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder and why he doesn’t expect Shai to leave anytime soon.
“Shai is perfect where he is in OKC, and I don’t think he will ever leave,” his father said. Vaughn pointed to Oklahoma City’s environment as one of the biggest reasons for his belief. He said Gilgeous-Alexander enjoys the ability to focus on basketball without some of the distractions that can come with playing in a bigger market.
“People ask, ‘What does Shai do in OKC?’ He loves it because all Shai wants to do is hoop. It’s a perfect fit.” He also mentioned that playing in Toronto would come with a different level of attention, especially with family and friends nearby.
“In Toronto, everybody is going to be on your a– saying, ‘Yo, give me tickets, give me this, that!’ Shai is perfect where he is in OKC,” his father said. He also added that he doesn’t see his son leaving Oklahoma City unless something unexpected happens between SGA and the organization.
“I don’t think he’ll ever leave unless politics or something happens. That’s how the NBA works. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. To be fair, right now, it’s hard to argue with the situation in Oklahoma City.
SGA has become the face of the Thunder and is coming off a couple of the best seasons a Canadian basketball player has ever had. He won the 2025 NBA championship, while earning Finals MVP and his second straight MVP award.
It is important to note that while his father doesn’t see Toronto as a likely destination, that doesn’t mean it can never happen. The NBA changes quickly. Situations that seem impossible today can look completely different years down the road.
Nobody expected the Dallas Mavericks to trade Luka Doncic in his prime. Many believed Giannis Antetokounmpo would spend his entire career in Milwaukee after delivering a championship to the Bucks. As we know, things change.