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.
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