Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed on a groundbreaking four-year contract extension worth $285 million, which sets the record for the highest average single-season salary in NBA history, according to a source familiar with the deal. The source, who spoke to the Associated Press anonymously due to the deal not being officially announced yet, confirmed that the NBA’s moratorium on offseason signings likely means the agreement will be publicized starting Sunday. ESPN was first to report on the contract.
This announcement coincides with the impressive season of the 26-year-old Canadian, who has had a historic year in the NBA. Gilgeous-Alexander not only led the Thunder to their first NBA championship and topped the league with record achievements but also secured major individual accolades, including being named MVP for both the regular season and the NBA Finals, as well as winning the scoring title.
The SuperMax extension was expected, with timing being the key factor, as Gilgeous-Alexander could have negotiated an even more lucrative deal next summer. According to the NBA’s latest salary cap projections, although exact numbers will not be known until June 2027, Gilgeous-Alexander is set to earn approximately $63 million in the first year and nearly $79 million in the 2030-31 season. This means he will average roughly $1 million per regular-season game, the highest in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander did not enter the league as a guaranteed superstar, being the 11th pick in the 2018 draft. After his rookie year, he was traded to the Thunder from the Los Angeles Clippers and has steadily improved ever since. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti is confident this progress will continue, praising Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth and describing him as a “basketball artist” with a unique blend of emotional intelligence and skill.
Presti elaborated that Gilgeous-Alexander balances creativity with objectivity, a trait common among highly successful individuals across various fields. The Thunder’s future looks promising, with key players signed for the long term and abundant draft picks secured through previous trades. Gilgeous-Alexander expressed optimism about the team’s growth potential after their Game 7 win against the Indiana Pacers, noting that many players, including himself, have not yet reached their peak.
— Report by Associated Press.
Fan Take: This extension is a landmark moment not just for Gilgeous-Alexander but for the entire NBA, showcasing how rising stars can redefine salary benchmarks. For basketball fans, it signals a thrilling new era of talent investment and competitive excellence, promising even more exciting seasons ahead.
