Despite the online backlash, SGA's free throw numbers don't support the "merchant" label. Stars are attempting far more foul shots.
Free throw merchant.
Those three words are like nails on a chalkboard to every Oklahoma City Thunder fan in every corner of the globe. No matter how many or few free throws Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes in any given game, no matter how dominant he may be, no matter whether it's a win or loss, no matter context or circumstance, Thunder fans can't log on to any of their favorite social media apps without reading constant complaining about every one of the reigning MVP's trips to the line.
The problem with the online whistle critics is that the nickname doesn't really fit.
Gilgeous-Alexander currently ranks #4 in the NBA in free throw attempts per game. If you remove his two double overtime games to open the season, he'd fall all the way down to #9 amongst free throw leaders. Despite ranking #2 in the league in drives per game and scoring the majority of his points at the rim and in the midrange area of the court, he is well below the top three free throw takers.
Luka Doncic leads the league with a historic 12.1 free throw attempts per game. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trail Blazers rising star Deni Avdija are second and third with 9.8 attempts per game. Gilgeous-Alexander is next with exactly 9 per game. Zion Williamson, despite only playing 28.5 minutes a night, checks in at fifth with 8.9 per game. Austin Reaves, James Harden, Devin Booker, Paolo Banchero and Joel Embiid round out the top 10 and each are within 1 free throw per game of Gilgeous-Alexander.
The OKC superstar with the dubious online term of endearment has not shot double digit free throws since December 5, 2025. Exactly one month ago. Over that time period, Gilgeous-Alexander's peers are lapping him in the 10+ free throw field. For reference, Avdija has hit the double digit threshold 8 times since the last time the MVP did so. Doncic has notched 7 games, Harden has clocked 6 games and even young Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George has managed 5 such games.
While Gilgeous-Alexander takes the brunt of every free throw narrative on social media, Doncic is a fraction off of Jerry West's 60 year old record for most free throws per game by a guard in NBA history. There's a real chance Doncic, who attempts 10.5 three pointers a night and ranks #16 in drives per game, breaks the all-time record for free throws attempted by a guard. Which just happens to be the position Gilgeous-Alexander plays.
One of two things must be true. Either the free throw merchant allegations are untrue and misdirected. Or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to seriously pick up his free throw merchanting game. Because the numbers don't match the moniker.
No matter how many cherry picked slow motion replay clips go viral on Twitter.