Herbert spoke about the adjustment, noting that Gilgeous-Alexander asked to increase his off-ball responsibilities. The coach added that playing off the ball can present a tougher defensive challenge for opponents, including greater difficulty in trapping and more favorable opportunities in varied offensive sets. “Shai came and said he’d like to play off the ball a little bit more. Which is great for us,” Herbert said. “It’s a learning process for him to play off the ball. We’re trying to balance 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.”
The statement came after a strong performance from Gilgeous-Alexander, who contributed 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting as Canada defeated Puerto Rico 110-84. Herbert explained that the coaching staff aimed to place Gilgeous-Alexander in two different roles during the game to expand his reads and opportunities, ultimately broadening the team’s offensive possibilities.
Gilgeous-Alexander is widely regarded as one of the league’s elite on-ball creators. In the 2025-26 NBA season, he posted a usage rate of 33.2%, ranking among the league’s top players and trailing only Luka Dončić, Jaylen Brown, and Kawhi Leonard. That season also saw him celebrate his second consecutive MVP award, averaging 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game across 68 regular-season appearances while shooting 55.3% from the field. These numbers underscore his value as a primary offensive engine, capable of generating looks and creating opportunities for teammates.
Canada’s national team features a number of NBA-caliber players, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who plays for the Atlanta Hawks; Andrew Nembhard of the Indiana Pacers; Kyshawn George of the Washington Wizards; Ryan Nembhard of the Dallas Mavericks; and Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns. Notably, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets did not make the Canadian roster for this window, making the backcourt leadership and ball-handling duties even more central for Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates.
Turning to how this experience could influence the Thunder, the coaching staff and front office will be watching closely as Gilgeous-Alexander gains reps as an off-ball contributor. The Thunder are preparing for a season where greater emphasis will be placed on developing younger guards such as Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace. Mitchell, who has shown promise as a secondary playmaker, served as a key on-ball creator for the Thunder during playoffs after an injury to Jalen Williams altered the rotation.
If Gilgeous-Alexander thrives in off-ball roles for Canada, his expanded versatility could accelerate his development while easing some of the heavier on-ball load he carried in Oklahoma City. For Mitchell, the experience could provide additional opportunities to showcase off-ball movement and cutting without the ball, strengthening his own fit within the team’s offense. For Wallace, more on-ball opportunities could arise if Gilgeous-Alexander’s off-ball proficiency helps balance the attack and keeps defenses from overloading against the Thunder’s primary creator.
From a strategic standpoint, the possibility of Gilgeous-Alexander adopting a more off-ball orientation could help the Thunder cultivate a more dynamic and unpredictable offense. It could enable Mitchell to function as a secondary initiator, while still allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to threaten defenses off the ball with screens, cuts, and rapid ball reversals. This balance would be beneficial as the team looks to maximize the strengths of its young guards and create scalable lineups for differing playoff scenarios.
In summary, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s willingness to play off the ball for Canada signals potential strategic benefits for the Thunder heading into the next season. While his primary value remains his on-ball creation, the off-ball development could unlock new rhythm and positioning for younger teammates, helping the team adapt to a broader offensive framework. The coming months will reveal how this international experience translates to his role with Oklahoma City and how it might influence the team’s offseason plans and lineup construction.
