### Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Secures Historic $285 Million Extension with Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder's star player, has made headlines by agreeing to a record-breaking four-year contract extension worth $285 million. This deal, reported to be the richest per-year contract in NBA history, comes on the heels of his outstanding performance during the 2024-25 season, where he led the Thunder to their first NBA championship and was named both the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the NBA Finals MVP. The contract ensures that Gilgeous-Alexander will remain with the Thunder through the 2030-31 season, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid players in the league's history [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/basketball/shai-gilgeous-alexander-agrees-record-us285-million-extension-reports, https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3316607/gilgeous-alexander-gets-mvpaid-us285-million-extension-richest-nba-deal]. ### Breakdown of the Contract and Its Implications 1. **Contract Details**: - Gilgeous-Alexander's extension is valued at **$285 million** over four years, averaging **$71.25 million per year**, making it the highest annual salary in NBA history [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/report_thunder_sign_sga_to_record_4_year_285m_extension/s1_17045_42400421]. 2. **Performance Highlights**: - In the 2024-25 season, he averaged **32.7 points**, **6.4 assists**, and **5.0 rebounds** per game, leading the league in scoring and earning the MVP title [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/shai_gilgeous_alexanders_historic_contract_could_lead_to_tough_thunder_decisions/s1_13132_42399806]. - He also played a crucial role in the playoffs, averaging **29.9 points** and securing the Finals MVP award [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/report_thunder_sign_sga_to_record_4_year_285m_extension/s1_17045_42400421]. 3. **Future Considerations**: - The extension could lead to challenging roster decisions for the Thunder, especially with other key players like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren becoming eligible for extensions soon [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/shai_gilgeous_alexander_thunder_supermax_extension_details_nba_mvp_s_285_000_000_contract_broken/s1_13132_42399806]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Contract Breakdown**: - **Total Value**: $285 million - **Duration**: 4 years - **Average Annual Salary**: $71.25 million (highest in NBA history) [https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/shai-gilgeous-alexander-contract-reigning-mvp-agrees-to-285-million-extension-with-thunder-per-report]. - **Performance Metrics**: - **Regular Season**: - Points per game: **32.7** - Assists per game: **6.4** - Rebounds per game: **5.0** - **Playoffs**: - Points per game: **29.9** - Assists per game: **6.5** - Rebounds per game: **5.3** [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/shai_gilgeous_alexander_thunder_supermax_extension_details_nba_mvp_s_285_000_000_contract_broken/s1_13132_42399806]. ### Conclusion: A Landmark Deal for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder In summary, **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's $285 million contract extension marks a significant milestone in NBA history**, reflecting his exceptional talent and contributions to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This deal not only secures his future with the team but also sets a new standard for player salaries in the league. 1. **Historic Contract**: Gilgeous-Alexander's extension is the richest in NBA history, averaging $71.25 million annually. 2. **Outstanding Performance**: His MVP and Finals MVP accolades underscore his pivotal role in the Thunder's success. 3. **Future Challenges**: The Thunder may face difficult decisions regarding roster management as they navigate the implications of this landmark deal [https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/shai-gilgeous-alexander-agrees-to-massive-4-year-extension-with-nba-champion-thunder-ap-source-says, https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/shai-gilgeous-alexander-agrees-to-massive-4-year-20402601.php].