Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a Free Throw Merchant?
If you’ve been tuned into NBA conversations this season, you’ve likely come across the claim that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this year’s MVP, is a “Free Throw Merchant.” The term refers to players who are seen as experts at drawing fouls, often getting to the line so frequently that some fans feel they’re bending the rules rather than just hooping.
But honestly, I didn’t see it.
Yes, SGA gets to the line a lot. But it never felt like it disrupted the game. If anything, it looked smooth, natural, even impressive. He attacks, controls the pace, and makes defenders react. So when people started pushing that narrative, I had to pause. Was it really that simple?
I needed to dig into the numbers.
This isn’t about proving or disproving the label. I’m just here to give context. After watching basketball for over 20 years, I’ve noticed that players who get to the line often usually do so because they are high-level scorers. They’re aggressive, they drive, they take contact, and they score.
That became my working theory: players with high free throw attempts per game also tend to rank high in points per game, field goals made, and drives per game. In other words, getting to the line is often just part of being an elite offensive threat.
So I looked into the top 30 players in Free Throw Attempts per Game this season. I wanted to see how their numbers matched up across scoring categories and whether SGA truly stands out in a way that deserves criticism.
Here’s what I found.
Points per game vs Free throw attempts per game
To begin, I wanted to see how free throw attempts per game (FTA/G) compare to overall scoring output, measured by points per game (PPG). The idea is simple: players who frequently get to the line usually do so because they are constantly putting pressure on defenses and attacking the rim. In other words, they are often elite scorers. When plotting the top 30 players in FTA/G this season, a clear pattern starts to show. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands out not just for his 8.8 free throw attempts per game, but for also averaging an impressive 32.7 points per game. That puts him in rare company, combining high free throw volume with top-tier scoring production.
When you compare him to players in the lower-left quadrant of the chart, who attempt fewer free throws and score less overall, it becomes clear that SGA is not simply “padding stats” at the free throw line. He is producing at an MVP level, and the numbers support that.
Number one in points per game without free throws
To get a clearer picture of scoring ability, I looked at how the players perform when free throws are removed. This helps show who can still create offense without relying on trips to the line. The results speak for themselves. Even without any free throw points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still leads the league with 24.8 points per game. He edges out other elite scorers like Jokic, Giannis, Edwards, and Tatum.
That tells us something important. SGA isn’t just getting points because of fouls. He’s consistently finding ways to score through skill, precision, and offensive control. The free throws are a part of his game, but they are not the foundation.
Number one in drives per game
If there’s one stat that helps explain why a player draws so many fouls, it’s how often they’re putting pressure on the defense by getting downhill. That’s what makes drives per game such a key metric. In this context, a drive is any play where a player begins their dribble at least 20 feet from the basket and ends up within 10 feet, not counting fast breaks. Players who drive more often are naturally going to create more contact, force defensive rotations, and challenge defenders to stay disciplined.
This chart highlights that clearly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads all players in drives per game while also maintaining one of the highest free throw rates. He is not standing around hoping for calls. He is constantly attacking, putting the defense in difficult situations almost every possession. When someone drives over 21 times a game and draws contact at the rate SGA does, it reflects consistent pressure and offensive intent.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, this was never about trying to disprove whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a “free throw merchant.” That label will always come down to personal opinion. What I set out to do was understand the full picture. After looking at the numbers, from scoring without free throws to drives per game and overall efficiency, it is clear that SGA’s game goes far beyond the whistle.
He is not just drawing fouls. He is leading the league in scoring, constantly attacking defenses, and doing it all with skill, control, and consistency. The free throws are part of his game, but they are not the reason for his dominance. What stands out most is how complete and reliable he has been all season.
So call him what you want. But based on the data and what we have seen, one thing is clear. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in basketball today.
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