Star athlete secures history-making deal with sports team
In a significant move for the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the star point guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has inked a four-year supermax contract extension worth a staggering $285 million, making him the highest-paid player in league history by average annual salary.
The agreement, which runs until the end of the 2030-31 season, is a testament to Gilgeous-Alexander's elite status following his MVP win last season and the Thunder's championship triumph. The deal's details reveal a substantial financial commitment from the franchise, with Gilgeous-Alexander set to earn $38.3 million in the 2025-26 season, accounting for approximately 24.8% of the Thunder's salary cap.
The contract breaks new ground in NBA salary history, surpassing all previous records for the highest annual salary. This extension cements Gilgeous-Alexander's position among basketball legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who have combined MVP honours, scoring titles, and NBA championships.
Meanwhile, the future of another NBA superstar, LeBron James, remains uncertain. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that during a recent gathering with friends in New York, James admitted that his wife, Savannah, is pushing for his early retirement. However, the timeline for James' potential retirement remains unclear.
James, a four-time NBA champion currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, has not announced any contract extension or salary changes at this time.
References: [1] [Tim Reynolds, AP Sports Writer, "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs supermax extension with Thunder"](https://apnews.com/article/nba-basketball-sports-business-oklahoma-city-thunder-9b97974b85a660c31483d5a0a5864214) [2] [Tim Reynolds, AP Sports Writer, "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs supermax extension with Thunder"](https://apnews.com/article/nba-basketball-sports-business-oklahoma-city-thunder-9b97974b85a660c31483d5a0a5864214)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder has made him the highest-paid player in NBA history by average annual salary, a significant milestone in sports and basketball. His impressive MVP win last season and the Thunder's championship triumph were key factors in securing this groundbreaking deal.
