Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA's Highest-Paid Player with $285M Thunder Extension After Historic MVP Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
, fresh off an MVP season and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA championship, has agreed to a record-setting four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension with the franchise.
This deal, confirmed by multiple sources on July 1, 2025, makes Gilgeous-Alexander the highest-paid player in NBA history on an annual basis, with an average salary exceeding $70 million per year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: MVP, Scoring Champion, and NBA Champion
At just 26 years old,
Gilgeous-Alexander
has cemented himself as one of the league's elite. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged a league-best 32.7 points per game, along with 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals, guiding the Thunder to an NBA-best 68-14 record.
His dominance continued in the playoffs, where he posted 29.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, culminating in a Finals MVP performance as Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in a dramatic seven-game series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's historic season places him in rare company. He became only the fourth player in NBA history to win the regular season MVP, Finals MVP, and a scoring title in the same year, joining legends Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Gilgeous-Alexander's Contract: Unprecedented Value
- Length: 4 years (extension begins 2027-28, runs through 2030-31)
- Total Value: $285 million
- Average Annual Salary: $71.25 million (highest in NBA history)
- Yearly Breakdown:
- 2027-28: $63.5 million
- 2028-29: $68.6 million
- 2029-30: $73.7 million
- 2030-31: $78.8 million
This extension comes while Gilgeous-Alexander still has two years and over $78 million left on his current deal, meaning he is now locked in with
the Thunder
for the next six seasons, through his age-32 season.
Why Now? Strategic and Financial Implications
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became eligible for this supermax extension after back-to-back All-NBA First Team selections. While he could have waited another year to sign a five-year, $380 million extension (which would have paid him an average of $76 million per year), he opted for security and immediate generational wealth, especially considering the risks of injury and shifting NBA economics. By negotiating without an agent—having parted ways with his representation earlier in 2025—he also saved up to $11.4 million in commissions.
Impact on the OKC Thunder and the NBA
This extension solidifies Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the face of the Thunder and ensures Oklahoma City will remain a perennial championship contender. With all key rotation players under contract and young stars like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren eligible for extensions, the Thunder are positioned for sustained success. However, the financial commitment also means the front office must carefully manage the roster under the NBA's salary cap and luxury tax rules.
Historical Significance of Shai's New Contract With the OKC Thunder
- Richest annual salary in NBA history
- First player to average over $70 million per year
- Joins a select group of multi-MVP and Finals MVP winners
- First player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to win the scoring title and NBA championship in the same season
Also read:
Giannis Antetokounmpo Fires Back at Stephen A. Smith's 'Underachiever' Claim with Championship Hardware Display
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's extension is more than just a reward for individual brilliance; it is a statement of intent from the Thunder and a new benchmark for superstar contracts in the NBA. As the league's financial landscape continues to evolve, SGA's deal will serve as a reference point for future negotiations and the value of elite two-way playmakers in the modern NBA.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade gives honest verdict on Draymond Green's NBA career with Golden State Warriors
Dwyane Wade and Draymond Green. Image via: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Draymond Green is certainly one of the most talked-about NBA stars who is currently playing for the Golden State Warriors. Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade has recently shared his honest thoughts on Green's career prospects and playing style. Wade asserted that Green is not a typical player, as he does not put much force into uplifting his individual prowess; rather, he has been a key to the Golden State Warriors' winning strategy. Dwyane Wade explains why Draymond Green is one of the most valuable players Draymond Green has long been one of the league's most polarizing figures. At 35, he is still viewed by many as a villain on the court, but his résumé speaks for itself, four NBA championships, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and nine All-Defensive Team selections. Beyond the accolades, Green's partnership with Stephen Curry defined the Golden State Warriors' dynasty. Dwyane Wade recently took time on his Wy Network podcast to reflect on Green's career, offering a candid assessment of what makes the forward unique. 'I just think that if someone wants to argue about Draymond's individual ranking, they just want to argue,' Wade said. '...Draymond Green's career would not be talked about him as an individual player. It would be talked about him as a winner, as a team player, as a leader, all these things. Like, if you're a Draymond fan, you can't care what Draymond is ranked as an individual player because he doesn't go out with that individual mentality.' Of course, Green's greatness isn't measured by box score numbers. He sacrifices shots, embraces defensive assignments, and provides the emotional backbone of the Warriors. His fiery nature has caused controversy at times, but even those moments underline his competitive drive. Steve Kerr once called Draymond Green the best defender he has ever seen While Wade spotlighted Green's leadership and team-first mentality, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr highlighted his defining defense trait. After a pivotal Game 4 playoff win over Houston, Kerr didn't hold back his admiration. 'He's the best defender I've ever seen in my life,' Kerr said, pointing to Green's critical stop against Alperen Sengun late in the fourth quarter. Despite playing with five fouls, Green held his ground and allowed Jimmy Butler to grab the rebound that sealed the win. Kerr praised Green's ability to play 'on the line' — aggressive, emotional, yet controlled enough to avoid costly mistakes. Comparing his defensive reliability to Curry's offensive trust, Kerr admitted that Green is central to the Warriors' success. The coach also noted how Butler's midseason arrival gave players like Brandin Podziemski more space to flourish, but it was Green who anchored the defense and set the tone when it mattered most. Also Read: Magic Johnson sends heartfelt anniversary wishes for Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Jackson Now, it would be interesting to see how Green sets foot on the court in the coming season. Regardless, he will be chasing the team's win once again, rather than his individual score record. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hans India
7 hours ago
- Hans India
Konstas signs 4-year contract extension with Sydney Thunder
Sydney: Australia teen star Sam Konstas has signed a four-year extension (inclusive of BBL 15) that will keep him at Sydney Thunder until at least the end of Big Bash League (BBL) 18, the club announced on Tuesday. At just 19 years of age, Konstas already boasts a record-breaking Big Bash debut, an Under-19 World Cup winner's medal, and a maiden Baggy Green earned during last summer's Border-Gavaskar series. His Thunder debut last summer was nothing short of spectacular, blasting 56 runs off 27 balls to set a new club record for the fastest half-century and become the youngest player in BBL history to reach the milestone. Konstas said the new deal is still as surreal as his first contract. "I remember being a fan in the stands watching my heroes like Davey [Warner], Michael Hussey and Andre Russell play for Thunder, so to extend for another four seasons is very exciting,' Konstas said. "Batting with Davey [Warner] last season was a great learning opportunity for me because he's very strategic in the way that he goes about things. I felt like I had a lot of clarity and freedom to play my game. "We've got an exciting group again which now includes Shadab (Khan)... I feel like this is the year we're going to dominate," he added. Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said Konstas' commitment was a major statement for the club's future. 'This contract extension is one of the easiest decisions we've made. This time last year he hadn't played a BBL match, and to go from that to breaking records on debut – alongside his growth across other formats – shows just how far he's come. 'This deal is huge in terms of tenure, and we see it as part of a journey that will hopefully make him a Thunder player for life. 'This extension not only rewards Sam's progression and his lifelong love of the club, but also tells our fans that when we have talent, we're going to do our best to keep them in Thunder colours," Copeland said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
LeBron James' agent Rich Paul proposes major change to NIL structure
Image via Getty LeBron James ' agent, Rich Paul , suggested a major change to the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) structure for student-athletes. Paul proposed the idea for a multi-year deal. The assistance should not be just a financial one. It should also prepare an aspiring athlete for the long-term professional obligations. Currently, under the NIL deal, sponsors limit their contract with the student-athletes to a one-year deal. LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, suggests multi-year deals for a better understanding of professional obligations LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, believes that the current NIL structure is limiting the prospects for young college athletes. Paul thinks that these young athletes should understand their obligations at an early stage. While talking to Sports Business Journal, he stated, 'If we're going to have student athletes get paid, we should teach them the proper way and the obligations that come with actually being paid.' Paul believes that this particular minor change within the structure would benefit both the agency and the client in the long run. The current short-term structure leaves both the agency and the athlete in an unstable condition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tom Cruise's Daughter Is Hands Down The Most Beautiful Woman In The World Fab Pop Undo An early implementation of multi-year deals for these young athletes would help them secure a consistent income and a stable future. Paul has been a part of the NBA world for more than a couple of decades now. As a sports agent, he has closed some of the biggest deals for NBA legends like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He shared his opinion on the NIL structure based on the experience he has gathered so far. What is the NIL structure? The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) structure was allowed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2021. Before this, the college athletes were not allowed to make money off their abilities. The implementation of this structure brought a major change. Under the structure, the student-athletes can hire professionals to assist them in marketing, legal issues, tax laws, and other business dealings. Since then, the young athletes have been deriving significant benefits from the scheme. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour have signed athletes from college. These structures have become one of the most relevant factors in college sports. Some of the major perks for the student-athletes include free sneakers, workout gear, high-end clothing, and dorm essentials. Also Read: LeBron James showcases golf swing as Los Angeles Lakers star embraces new sporting hobby Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
