Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inks extensive four-year contract with NBA titleholders
In a groundbreaking move, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 26-year-old guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has agreed to a four-year, $285-million extension, making him the highest-paid player by annual value in NBA history. The deal, which has not yet been publicly announced, is expected to be made public after the league's moratorium on most offseason signings is lifted on Sunday.
The extension gives Gilgeous-Alexander the highest single-season average salary in NBA history, with an approximate earning of $71.25 million per season. In his first extension season, he is projected to earn around $63 million, increasing to nearly $79 million in later years of the contract. This equates to an average of roughly $1 million per regular-season game—unprecedented in NBA history.
The agreement was made on Canada Day and was first reported by ESPN. The supermax extension was not unexpected, but the timing of the deal was a question. The person who confirmed the agreement spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional performance has earned him numerous accolades. He led the Thunder to their first NBA championship and the league's best record. He also won the regular-season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and the scoring title. The Thunder, who have a number of draft picks from previous trades, have all their major players under contract through at least next season.
Sam Presti, the Thunder's general manager, describes Gilgeous-Alexander as a "basketball artist" due to his emotional intelligence. Presti believes successful people in any industry have to access both creative and objective sides. Gilgeous-Alexander himself stated that the team still has room to grow after winning the Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers.
This monumental contract extension reflects both Gilgeous-Alexander's outstanding recent performance and the NBA's rising salary cap environment. The Thunder are poised for a promising future with their young, talented roster and their star player's commitment to the team.
[1] Source: NBA.com [2] Source: ESPN.com [3] Source: Forbes.com [4] Source: Associated Press
Sports enthusiasts may find it fascinating to learn that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 26-year-old guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has signed a record-breaking NBA deal, worth $285 million over four years, making him the highest-paid player by annual value in NBA history. This agreement was first reported by ESPN and is expected to significantly boost Gilgeous-Alexander's average salary per season, estimated at approximately $1 million per regular-season game—a mark never before seen in basketball's professional league.
