Shai’s multimillon dollar decision

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially been named the NBA MVP - a well-deserved honor after an extraordinary season. The Canadian point guard led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an impressive 68-win campaign while averaging 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. His team’s collective success ultimately set him apart from Nikola Jokic, whose stellar numbers could have earned him a fourth MVP title. At 26 years old, this marks Shai’s first MVP award.

As is often the case in the NBA, accolades like this extend beyond prestige—they have significant financial implications. Gilgeous-Alexander, who is chasing a championship ring to cap off his dream season, signed a max rookie contract extension in 2021, securing a five-year, $179 million deal with the Thunder.

Shai’s current contract details with the Thunder

This season, he’s earning $35.8 million, with guaranteed salaries of $38.3 million and $40.8 million for the next two years. While he’s not set to become a free agent until the summer of 2027, he now has the opportunity to negotiate his next extension — and the timing could not be better. His new contract will coincide with the NBA’s forthcoming $76 billion TV rights deal, which is expected to trigger another historic surge in revenue, boosting player salaries across the board.

Shai was already in position to sign a massive contract extension this summer — even before securing his MVP title. In fact, he could be the first player to reach the staggering mark of $80 million per year. To put that into perspective, back in the 2015–16 season - before the previous groundbreaking TV deal - the entire salary cap for an NBA team was just $70 million...

Last season, he finished second in MVP voting behind Jokic and earned his second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection (this year will be his third). That achievement guaranteed him a shot at a record-breaking extension this summer: four years and over $293 million, starting at $65.7 million. While his current contract runs through 2027, he doesn’t have a player option for the final season, meaning he can only extend for four additional years - not five. By the 2030–31 season, his salary would reach $81.4 million, setting a new NBA benchmark.

Does Shai qualify for a supermax?

The supermax contract, formally known as the Designated Veteran Player Extension, was introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement. It was designed to give teams a financial edge in retaining homegrown stars - largely in response to the chaotic 2016 free agency market, when the salary cap skyrocketed due to new TV deals, and Kevin Durant famously left Oklahoma City for Golden State. Under this provision, teams can offer a star player a five-year extension, increasing their salary cap allocation from 30% to 35%, with annual raises of 8%.

To qualify for a supermax, players must meet extra requirements: they must have spent at least seven or eight years with the same team at the time of signing (with one or two years remaining on their contract) and must not have switched teams in free agency. However, trades—like Shai’s move from the Clippers to the Thunder after his rookie season—don’t disqualify a player.

Additionally, a player must meet one of these criteria: win MVP once in the last three seasons, make an All-NBA Team (First, Second, or Third) in the previous season or two of the last three seasons, or be named Defensive Player of the Year in the previous season or two of the last three.

How much could Shai earn by waiting a year to sign an extension?

If Shai waits one more year before signing, he opens up an even more lucrative possibility - but at some risk. If he delays his extension until 2026, he’ll be entering the final year of his contract and will have logged seven seasons with Oklahoma City. With his MVP - or even another All-NBA selection, he would qualify for a five-year supermax worth $381 million, including a staggering $86.7 million salary in the final year. That would average $76 million per season - essentially $1 million per game across an 82-game regular season.

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