Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the 2024-25 NBA MVP, positioning him for an unprecedented financial milestone in sports history. This accolade makes him eligible to sign a staggering five-year contract worth $380 million, the largest ever in the NBA. However, he won’t be able to officially sign this deal until the 2026 offseason.
This potential contract could see Gilgeous-Alexander earn an average of $76 million annually, surpassing even that of Shohei Ohtani in terms of average annual value. Moreover, because he separated from his agent recently, he stands to keep the entire sum for himself without paying agent fees.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are fully on board with rewarding Gilgeous-Alexander’s achievements despite being a smaller market team in the league. His impressive performance, highlighted by his two All-NBA selections, made him eligible for an extension valued at $293 million. However, his MVP title allows him to qualify for the lucrative supermax contract option.
To attain this elite status, players usually need to be in their eighth or ninth NBA season and fulfill specific criteria, including winning an MVP award or making All-NBA selections. Gilgeous-Alexander checks all these boxes, significantly boosting his financial future.
Currently, he is contracted for three more years, as a result of a prior five-year extension worth $172 million. All in all, by the end of his 14-year career, he could potentially amass up to $576 million in earnings.
In a gesture befitting his success, he recently gifted Rolex watches to his entire Thunder team, demonstrating not only his financial prowess but also his generosity and leadership within the squad. This highlights a positive aspect of his rising stardom: success can create an environment of teamwork and camaraderie.