Steve Ballmer on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
TL;DR
Steve Ballmer expressed regret over trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, calling it a difficult situation for the Clippers organization.
Key Points
The Clippers CEO stated he would be very surprised if the NBA forced the sale of the Clippers.
Ballmer expressed a desire for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to return to the Clippers organization at some point.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the situation following the trade that sent the player away.
Summary
Steve Ballmer, as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, publicly voiced his disappointment regarding the trade that sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The transaction, which brought Paul George to the Clippers, was executed when Ballmer was a relatively new owner, and he has characterized the move as a tough decision for the franchise. He explicitly stated he would have preferred to keep Gilgeous-Alexander, indicating the regret stems from watching the player's subsequent elite development elsewhere.
The implication of this admission is a lingering sense of 'what if' concerning the franchise's trajectory had they retained the burgeoning star guard. Ballmer's comments suggest a high valuation of the player's talent, even while acknowledging the organizational rationale at the time for pursuing a different championship pathway. The former CEO's view reflects a common sentiment among leadership following pivotal, high-stakes personnel decisions that do not yield immediate, desired results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Steve Ballmer has expressed regret over the trade that sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander away from the Clippers. The owner indicated he would have preferred to retain the young player based on his subsequent development. This sentiment suggests a high regard for Gilgeous-Alexander's current elite status.
Yes, Steve Ballmer has mentioned that he would have preferred for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to remain with the Clippers organization. He characterized the trade as a difficult organizational move that he personally regretted after seeing the player's rise. His current stance suggests he views the trade as a significant misstep in hindsight.
The owner's public comments indicate that his view on the trade has evolved to include regret for losing the player. While acknowledging the organizational context at the time, his current position is critical of the outcome of that transaction. He has specifically noted wishing Gilgeous-Alexander was still with the team.
Sources4
Clippers CEO Steve Ballmer wants Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to come back to the Clippers
Steve Ballmer explains why Clippers didn't re-sign Paul George and why he hated losing All-Star to 76ers
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.