The Oklahoma City Thunder are locking in their MVP. Superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension, keeping him in OKC through the 2030-31 season. The deal marks the richest annual salary in NBA history, with an eye-popping $70+ million per year.
The extension caps off a dream year for Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the Thunder to their first NBA title since moving to Oklahoma City. He swept nearly every major award in 2025: NBA MVP, Finals MVP, Scoring Champion, and now, the league’s highest-paid player.
Before dominating the NBA hardwood, Gilgeous-Alexander got his start at Kentucky, where during the 2017-18 season, he transformed from a 4-star recruit into a lottery pick. He averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game for John Calipari’s Wildcats, leading Kentucky to an SEC Tournament title and a Sweet 16 appearance.
His calm demeanor, elite court vision, and ability to take over in clutch moments made him a fan favorite in Lexington, where those traits have only improved since entering the NBA. Now a household name, Gilgeous-Alexander is not just the face of the Thunder, but a defining figure for the NBA’s future.
With his future secured and legacy growing, Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just rewriting record books, and now he’s defining a new era in Oklahoma City and the league.
BREAKING: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a four-year, $285 million super maximum contract extension with the championship Oklahoma City Thunder through 2030-31, sources tell ESPN. This is now the richest annual salary for a player in league history. pic.twitter.com/eptbVjUo6j
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025