Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA’s First $70 Million Player

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a supermax deal to stay in Oklahoma City through 2030–31 and receive the largest average annual salary in league history.

The MVP and the Thunder have agreed to a four-year, $285 million extension, ESPN reported.

Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, still has two years on his current deal, meaning this new contract won’t kick in until the 2027–28 season. He will make an average of more than $70 million per year, the first player in the NBA to reach that mark.

He could’ve waited and made even more with a five-year, $380 million extension next offseason. That deal would’ve paid him an average of $76 million annually.

The superstar will still be paid handsomely. The first two years of the deal will pay $63.5 million and $68.6 million, while the final two hit $73.7 million and $78.8 million, according to ESPN. The average annual value over the course of the deal is $71.25 million, up from nearly $36 million on his current contract.

In February, Gilgeous-Alexander parted ways with his agent, setting himself up to collect even more of his looming supermax. The NBPA says agents can’t take more than a 4% cut, meaning the league’s scoring leader saved himself up to $11.4 million in commission.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s deal has a smaller total value than other recent mega-signings like Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown, whose five-year deals are worth $315 million and $303.7 million, respectively. Joel Embiid’s three-year, $192 million extension—set to kick in next year—was the previous highest contract by AAV at $64.3 million per year. The Suns’ Devin Booker is also anticipated to sign a deal with an AAV above $70 million this offseason. He’s eligible for a two-year, $150 million deal on July 6, which would place his average higher than Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder beat the Pacers in a seven-game NBA Finals between two relatively inexpensive rosters. The entire Oklahoma City team this season cost $165 million, ranking 24th in the league. But that will change because Gilgeous-Alexander won’t be the only member of the championship squad to secure more money this offseason. Teammates Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are each eligible for their first contract extensions.