Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a record-setting four-year, $285 million supermax extension, securing his place with the franchise through the 2030–31 NBA season. The deal—reportedly the richest in terms of average annual value—will pay the 26-year-old approximately $1 million per regular-season game, the highest single-season salary in league history.
In a time when seven- and eight-figure contracts are becoming more common in sports and entertainment, Gilgeous-Alexander’s deal reflects the growing value of elite talent in the NBA’s modern economic landscape. Despite the 2025 NBA Finals Game 7 averaging just 16.4 million viewers—a sharp decline from the 35.9 million who watched Game 6 in 1998—the league has dramatically expanded its revenue sources, including international markets, digital platforms, merchandise, and global sponsorships.
The result: NBA franchises are more profitable than ever, and owning a team has become a premium asset. For players, especially in a league with only 15 roster spots per team (compared to 53 in the NFL, 26 in MLB, or 23 in the NHL), the path to generational wealth is becoming more accessible—especially for those with MVP-level impact.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s extension comes at the peak of his career and on the heels of a season that saw him lead the Thunder to their first NBA championship, claim both the regular-season and Finals MVP awards, and secure the league scoring title. The timing of the deal—announced quietly ahead of the league’s offseason moratorium lifting—also coincided with Canada Day, fitting for the Ontario native who has quickly become one of the greatest Canadian players in NBA history.
According to league projections, Gilgeous-Alexander will earn roughly $63 million in the 2027–28 season and nearly $79 million in 2030–31, with the exact figures depending on the NBA’s finalized salary cap. While he could have signed a slightly more lucrative deal next offseason, he chose to commit early—a move that highlights both his loyalty to the Thunder and confidence in the team’s future.
Originally drafted 11th overall in 2018 by the Los Angeles Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to Oklahoma City after his rookie year. Since then, his growth has been steady and undeniable. Thunder GM Sam Presti has often praised the All-Star guard’s unique combination of skill, emotional maturity, and consistency.
“He’s improved every single year,” said Presti. “His development isn’t volatile. It’s grounded in things that can be repeated and scaled.”
Presti even described Gilgeous-Alexander as a “basketball artist,” citing his ability to seamlessly combine creative intuition with analytical discipline.
“He has both the left and right brain working,” Presti added. “Greatness in any field requires that balance—being creative and being strategic.”
Looking ahead, the Thunder are well-positioned for long-term success. With Gilgeous-Alexander secured, a young core locked in through at least the next season, and a treasure chest of draft picks from past trades, Oklahoma City is poised to remain a contender.
“We’ve still got room to grow,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the team’s Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers. “That’s the exciting part. Most of us haven’t even reached our prime yet.”