Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's New Deal With OKC Thunder Could Bank Him $1 Million…PER GAME
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
's MVP-winning season has put him in line for a record-breaking payday. The
Oklahoma City Thunder
star is now eligible for a contract extension that could dwarf previous NBA deals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's potential contract breakdown
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, if
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
waits until the 2026 offseason, he could sign a five-year extension worth $380 million. Here's how the numbers break down:
- Total contract value: $380 million
- Average annual salary: $76 million
- Per-game earnings (82 games): ~$927,000
For context, this deal would make him one of the highest-paid athletes in professional sports.
How NBA salaries compare to other leagues
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA's financial dominance is clear when comparing its top earners to other leagues. For example:
League
Highest-Paid Player
Annual Salary
NBA Equivalent Rank
NHL
Auston Matthews
$13.25M
~120th (NBA)
NBA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (projected)
$76M
Top 3 (NBA)
Matthews' salary would rank between Daniel Gafford and Grant Williams in the NBA, highlighting the massive gap between basketball and other major sports.
The growing trend of NBA super contracts
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's potential deal is part of a larger trend:
- Rising salary cap due to increased league revenue
- More lucrative media rights deals
- Global popularity driving higher player valuations
If this trajectory continues, $100 million annual contracts could become the norm within the next decade.
What this means for the Thunder and the NBA
Oklahoma City
will likely prioritize locking down their franchise player, especially after his
MVP season
and the Thunder's deep playoff run.
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For the league, these soaring salaries reflect its status as both a global entertainment powerhouse and a thriving business.
What do you think—is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander worth nearly $1 million per game? With NBA salaries skyrocketing, debates over player value are hotter than ever. Should superstars like SGA command this much, or does it risk distorting the league's financial future? Drop your take in the comments: Is he underpaid, overpaid, or right on the money? And who's next in line for a half-billion-dollar deal? Let's hear your predictions and hottest NBA contract opinions below!
Also read:
Jaylen Brown Drops the 'White Noise' 741 Rover—And the Sneaker Game Just Got Louder
While some may balk at the figures, Gilgeous-Alexander's case proves elite talent commands elite pay—and the NBA's financial boom shows no signs of slowing down.
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