Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, securing his place on the team through the 2030-31 NBA season. This deal makes Gilgeous-Alexander the highest-paid player in the league by average annual value (AAV), marking a new milestone in NBA salaries.

Details of the Record-Setting Deal

The contract carries an average annual value of $71.3 million, which surpasses the previous highest AAV held by Joel Embiid at $64.3 million. Other top-earning stars like Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Davis follow behind with $62.8 million, $58.5 million, and $58.5 million respectively. Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract ranks as the third-largest overall in NBA history by total value, trailing only Jayson Tatum’s $313.9 million and Jaylen Brown’s $285.4 million deals.

Career Highlights That Led to the Lucrative Contract

Gilgeous-Alexander earned this historic agreement due to his outstanding 2024-25 season performance, which included leading the league with an average of 32.7 points per game during the regular season. In the NBA Finals, he maintained a 30.3 point average, helping Oklahoma City reach new heights. In the process, he achieved the rare NBA Triple Crown by winning the league scoring champion title, league MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season—joining legends Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in this exclusive category.

Impact and Future Prospects

This contract not only reflects Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance on the court but also sets a new financial benchmark for player compensation in the NBA. His rise to becoming the highest-paid player underscores Oklahoma City’s commitment to building a competitive team around him. As he continues to develop his career, the league will closely watch how his performance and leadership influence the Thunder’s success in upcoming seasons.