NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secures a groundbreaking $285 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder following their championship victory.
In a groundbreaking move for the National Basketball Association (NBA), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has signed a historic supermax contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, worth a staggering $285 million over four years. This deal, which extends through the 2030-31 season, not only secures Gilgeous-Alexander's future with the Thunder but also sets a new record for the highest annual value for an NBA player.
The contract comes after an exceptional season for Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the league in scoring with 32.7 points a night in the 2024-25 season. His exceptional performance earned him the MVP award, making him the 11th player in NBA history to achieve both the MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same season. He joined an elite club that includes legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James, among others.
Remarkably, Gilgeous-Alexander is the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to win the NBA scoring title and championship in the same season. His outstanding performance in the NBA Finals of the 20XX-20XX season, where he averaged 30.3 points per game, further solidified his status as a dominant force in the league.
General manager Sam Presti, who has been instrumental in the Thunder's rebuild, has already invested significantly in Gilgeous-Alexander. Despite this, the team remains poised for further improvements, with five first-round picks in the next two drafts and the rights to a first-round swap with the Clippers in 2027.
Gilgeous-Alexander was traded from the Clippers to the Thunder in 2019, and his impact on the team has been undeniable. The Thunder went on to win their first-ever NBA title in the 20XX-20XX season, a testament to the team's resilience and Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership.
As the Thunder look towards the future, it's clear that Gilgeous-Alexander will play a crucial role in the team's success. With his record-breaking contract and his proven ability to perform under pressure, he is undoubtedly one of the most valuable players in the league today.
In light of the historic deal, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will continue his impressive basketball career within the NBA, specifically with the Oklahoma City Thunder, after signing a supermax contract worth $285 million over four years. Acknowledging his extraordinary performance during the 2024-25 season, where he led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game and earned the MVP award, Gilgeous-Alexander joined an esteemed group of players including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James.
