Thunder Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Locks in Four-Year Super-Max Extension: What It Means for the Team’s Future

The Thunder have just locked in their superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a four-year super-max contract extension. This news comes directly from Shams Charania of ESPN.

Starting in the 2027/28 season, this deal adds four years to his current contract, securing Gilgeous-Alexander with the team until the end of the 2030/31 season. While the total value is projected at $285 million, the actual amount will depend on the salary cap at that time. Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract will kick off at 35% of that cap and will increase annually by 8%. Analysts anticipate a 7% increase in the cap next year and a 10% rise in 2027.

At just 27, Gilgeous-Alexander had a standout season, averaging 32.7 points per game with impressive shooting stats. During the playoffs, he maintained a scoring average of 29.9 points per game and led the Thunder to their first title in Oklahoma City. His efforts earned him MVP honors for both the regular season and the Finals, making him only the 16th player in NBA history to achieve this accolade in the same year. The last person to do it was LeBron James back in 2012/13.

Interestingly, Gilgeous-Alexander qualified for a super-max contract in 2024 by being named to the All-NBA team twice. However, he had to wait until this summer to sign the extension due to service-time rules.

For context, players with 7 to 9 years of experience typically cap their salaries at 30%, but they can bump it up to 35% through specific achievements like being named MVP or All-NBA.

While it might seem tempting for him to wait another year for a potentially bigger deal of around $370 million, it’s understandable why he didn’t want to pass up such a lucrative opportunity now.

Looking ahead, the Thunder are now focusing on extending contracts for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren as both players are eligible for rookie scale extensions as they head into their fourth NBA season.

In related news, a recent survey showed that fans are increasingly supportive of long-term contracts for star players, reflecting a growing trend in loyalty over frequent team changes. This aligns with feedback on social media, where many fans celebrated the extension, seeing it as a commitment to building a strong future for the franchise.

For more on NBA contracts and salary cap insights, check out the NBA’s official website.



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