Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has transformed into one of the NBA’s most unstoppable forces, averaging 32.7 points. That makes him the league’s leading scorer. At the same time, he is also dishing out 6.4 assists per game. This ability of his, to control games, mirrors the poise of all-time great floor generals– a skill he didn’t develop overnight. This leap from promising young guard to bona fide MVP candidate didn’t happen in a vacuum, it was cultivated during a pivotal season alongside one of the greatest point guards ever.

But it isn’t just SGA’s ascend we are talking about this season.

The Thunder’s rise to the Western Conference’s top spot with a 68-14 record has been the NBA’s most surprising success story. Their league-best 119.2 offensive rating, combined with a top-5 defense, showcases a perfectly balanced contender. This dominance traces back to 2019 when the franchise appeared headed for a rebuild after trading Paul George and Russell Westbrook. Few expected them to become a powerhouse this quickly, but the foundation was laid during Chris Paul’s lone season in Oklahoma City.

While many wrote off the point guard’s arrival as a mere salary dump, the future Hall of Famer delivered one of his most impactful seasons. Leading the NBA in clutch scoring with 150 points, Paul willed the Thunder to a 44-28 record and playoff berth while mentoring SGA daily. As Dwyane Wade recently revealed, Paul’s influence runs deeper than stats suggest.

On his show The Timeout, Dwayne Wade peeled back the curtain on Paul’s transformative impact: “When he [CP] went to OKC, they were starting over… CP was the veteran who guy who got everything in order… he saved OKC in the midst of them starting over again,” Wade started.

When the conversations of trade had swirled that season, Thunder was one team Paul hadn’t wished to find himself in. But there he was, despite his feelings being made clear, addressing a young team. Daryl Morey had shipped him off without notice. CP, though, did not sulk. He improved his performance, spearheaded the team to one of the hottest topics, helped Billy Donovan receive coach of the year attention, and saved his career.

It prompts Wade to make a case where championships don’t solely define a player’s legacy. For Paul, it was helping a team get back on its feet, the fruits of which the Thunder continue to savor– this one, in the form of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

 “He left something behind, and we’re now seeing SGA and them pick up. I know SGA learned a ton from Chris,” Wade added on the podcast. This firsthand account from an NBA legend validates what Thunder insiders have known for years. That is something the leading MVP candidate wouldn’t deny either.

These two, alongside Dennis Schroder, were pulling dangerous three-guard lineups. In a total of 401 minutes they played together, they were outscoring opponents by 268 points. Shai took off from there. “He was a great teammate, a great example to follow, especially that time in my career,” he admits. Only a year into the league, and new to the Thunder, SGA was a sponge around Chris Paul. He not only took in the on court antics, but it was the edge outside the court that stood out for the young talent. “That, if anything, is what I adopted from him the most,” he adds.

They may have walked on different paths since, but their on court dynamic has grown into brotherhood. Even today, Paul is only a call away. Really adds on to what Dwyane Wade has got to highlight.

Chris Paul, Beyond Titles and Stats

For starters, Wade passionately defended Paul’s career impact beyond rings. He said, “If you say his career’s a bust without a championship, you’re missing the point. Look at what he did at every stop, especially OKC. He kept organizations afloat while elevating young talent.” This perspective reframes Paul’s OKC tenure not as a pitstop. Instead, as a franchise-building masterstroke that’s now paying historic dividends.

OKC wasn’t the only team to witness his mentorship. San Antonio’s resurgence during his 2024-25 Spurs tenure is often talked about. He set the team’s first winning record since the 2018–19 season. His ability to simplify complex plays and communicate effectively has helped young stars. Not only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but Victor Wembanyama too. Paul’s professionalism, arriving first to practices, dissecting film, and demanding accountability sets a standard that transforms franchises.

Off the court, Paul’s influence is equally profound. As president of the NBA Players Association, he championed player rights, from contract negotiations to social justice initiatives. His philanthropy focuses on education and health equity, including funding scholarships and COVID-19 relief efforts. Even his entrepreneurial ventures, like co-owning La Fête Wine Co., reflect his commitment to inclusivity.

So, as SGA collects MVP chants and the Thunder dominate the West, basketball historians recognize this as Chris Paul’s lasting imprint. The Point God’s mentorship created an MVP, his leadership birthed a contender, and his legacy gained its most unexpected chapter. Five years later, the NBA is witnessing the fruits of CP3’s greatest teaching moment.