Shai Gilgeous-Alexander testing out off-ball role this summer

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In an experimental environment, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is trying out new things this summer. While it feels like the two-time MVP is hitting his head on the ceiling of his game, there's always room to grow — even if it's in the nuances of basketball that the average fan can't see.

Returning to the court for the first time since the NBA playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander showed little rust from his month off. He helped Canada get a 110-84 win over Puerto Rico in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifier. He had a ho-hum 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting.

No biggie. Gilgeous-Alexander has been a walking 30-point machine for five-plus years now. By simply rolling out of bed, you're guaranteed to see him drop an efficient 30 points. That's how he's skyrocketed past his peers with his competition being filled with NBA pantheons.

We know Gilgeous-Alexander has stamped his place in NBA history with a ring and two MVP trophies. But part of his Hall-of-Fame resume involves his international play. He's led Canada to the golden era of its program. It finished bronze in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and in fifth place in the 2024 Olympics.

Expect that type of success to continue as long as Gilgeous-Alexander is up for it. He'll still be at the peak of his powers over the next two summers when Canada likely plays in the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Surrounded by NBA players across the roster, Canada is amid its best stretch of international hoops ever.

After their easy-peasy win in Gilgeous-Alexander's hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada head coach Gordie Herbert revealed an interesting anecdote. He is seeing if Canada's other NBA players can take on more of the brunt of offensive responsibility — per the 27-year-old's request.

"Shai came and said he'd like to play off the ball a little bit more. Which is great for us. It's a learning process for him to play off the ball," Herbert said. "We're trying to play him off the ball and on the ball. Both. I think he's actually tougher to guard off the ball. Tougher to come trap. Tougher situations. We put him in two different situations during the game, I think it opens up the game for him."

Now, that's very interesting. You could tell from watching the game, too. Gilgeous-Alexander abnormally spent a lot of time just chilling around the perimeter. Sure, he took over in the first and fourth quarters, but the middle of the game saw him take on a bus driver role. Other Canadian players like Andrew Nembhard and Dillon Brooks had their fair share of cooking on offense in one-on-one looks.

It's something to keep an eye on for however many more games Gilgeous-Alexander suits up for this summer. We know he'll for sure play at the TD Coliseum one more time in Canada's matchup against Jamaica. After that, he's probably done, as the next game is in late August.

But back to Gilgeous-Alexander's wish to have less on his plate. You have to wonder, will that also happen on the Oklahoma City Thunder when NBA training camps kick off in October? Remains to be seen. Of all the things you can criticize the 60-win juggernaut, an over-dependence on him is one of the bullet points.

That said, when hasn't an NBA team overly relied on a 30-point scorer and two-time MVP winner?

You saw that get sorta exposed in the NBA playoffs when he averaged a lowly 25.9 points on 40.9% shooting in their series loss to the San Antonio Spurs. With Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell out, the Thunder simply couldn't overcome the absences from their second-and-third-best ball-handlers.

Perhaps Gilgeous-Alexander is testing out the perks of it with Canada in low-leverage games. You gotta admit, even when he's off-ball, his presence creates ample gravity for the rest of his teammates. The opposition has its head on a swivel as it has to keep its eye on the ball and note where he is on the floor at all times.

"He's just not handling the ball and they can come trap him. Get the ball off his hands right away. So to speak," Herbert said. "He's setting screens. Different things and trying to use him in different ways. I think it helps the whole team."

Will be interesting to see if the Thunder implement the same type of plan for the 2026-27 regular season. The best way for OKC's other scorers to improve is learning through experience. On top of hoping for better health luck with Williams and Mitchell, they've stocked up on ball-handlers over the past six months with the additions of Jared McCain and Bennett Stirtz.

You can figure out the perks of a lower usage rate for Gilgeous-Alexander. Sure, the individual numbers might dip, but the team's floor could improve. Especially in the NBA playoffs. Not just that, but you can save his legs for some of the higher-stressed moments of the league's marathon-length year.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander testing out off-ball role this summer

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