After being named the 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible to sign a five-year, $380 million supermax extension beginning in 2026, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The deal would represent the largest contract ever signed in NBA history, with an average annual value of $76 million-surpassing even some of the biggest contracts in professional sports, including MLB star Shohei Ohtani‘s.
Because Gilgeous-Alexander is still under contract for two more seasons, the Thunder won’t be able to offer the new deal until the 2026 offseason.
But thanks to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, his MVP status locks him in for the 35% supermax rate, available only to players who have either won MVP, been named Defensive Player of the Year, or made All-NBA teams in recent seasons.
The Thunder, despite their small-market profile, have given every indication that they’re prepared to reward their star accordingly.
Career earnings could top half a billion dollars
Gilgeous-Alexander already has one major contract under his belt-a five-year, $172 million extension signed in 2021 that runs through 2027. When combined with his rookie contract and the projected supermax deal, his total earnings by the end of the 2030 season could reach an estimated $576 million.
Perhaps even more striking, Gilgeous-Alexander is no longer represented by an agent. That means if he chooses to negotiate his next deal independently, he will retain the full $380 million, bypassing the multi-million-dollar commission that typically goes to player agents.
The Thunder’s front office has long viewed Gilgeous-Alexander as the foundation of their rebuilding project, and this MVP season has only solidified that belief. OKC is in the midst of a deep playoff run and looks primed to compete for championships for years to come, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading a roster full of young talent and upside.
The 25-year-old averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals this season, guiding Oklahoma City to one of the best records in the NBA and a top seed in the Western Conference. He also became just the second player in Thunder franchise history to win MVP, joining Kevin Durant.
Thunder MVP sets the standard for future supermax deals
Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just secure MVP-he also became a lock for a third consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, strengthening his long-term bargaining power.
According to current CBA rules, players can qualify for the 35% salary cap tier if they meet these criteria and remain with their original franchise or one they joined on a rookie contract-another box SGA ticks.
The significance of the MVP win isn’t just in accolades-it ensures Gilgeous-Alexander‘s eligibility for a contract that would reset the ceiling for elite NBA talent. With the salary cap projected to rise in coming seasons, this $380 million extension could be the first of several megadeals in the NBA’s evolving financial landscape.
In a gesture that reflects both leadership and camaraderie, Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly bought Rolex watches for his Thunder teammates after winning MVP, underscoring how much he values the team around him.
As Oklahoma City continues its playoff push, the future is clear: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just the face of the Thunder-he’s on track to become the highest-paid player the league has ever seen.
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