NBA fans go berserk over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs richest annual salary in history: "$71 million a year to shoot 20 FTs a game"

This season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put together one of the best individual performances in NBA history. Fresh off securing MVP and leading the OKC Thunder to a title, the superstar guard has reached a record-setting mark off the court.

On Tuesday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that SGA and the Thunder have agreed to terms on a contract extension. He signed a supermax deal worth $285 million over four years. When this new deal kicks in, Gilgeous-Alexander will have the highest annual salary in league history.

Following the stunning news, fans chimed in with their thoughts on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inking such a lucrative deal with the reigning champions.

As expected, the majority of fans were stunned at the fact that SGA will be making upwards of $70 million a year with the extension.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the driving force in the Thunder's success this season, averaging 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He carried this momentum to the NBA Finals, where he joined the rare group of players to win regular-season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.

After helping deliver OKC its first championship, the Thunder rewarded their franchise cornerstone with one of the richest contracts in league history.

NBA insider provides full breakout of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's historic contract

Shortly after the news of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander securing the historic deal, ESPN's Bobby Marks provided the complete breakdown of his salaries. He also noted it is the largest per-year average salary-wise for a player in NBA history.

Still with two years left on his current deal, SGA's new extension won't kick in until the 2028 season. In the first year, the reigning MVP is set to make $63.5 million. From there, his salary will steadily increase over the life of the deal.

Gilgeous-Alexander's salary won't break the $70 million threshold until the back half of the contract. The OKC Thunder star will earn $73.6 million in 2030, followed by an astonishing $78.7 million in 2031.

Since coming over to the Thunder from the LA Clippers as part of the blockbuster Paul George trade, SGA has blossomed into one of the game's top talents. He remained loyal to the franchise despite its slow approach to a rebuild, and it has paid off nicely for him. Along with a record-setting contract, the Thunder are built to contend for the foreseeable future.

Though OKC is on the hook for a massive amount of money, Gilgeous-Alexander has shown he's a player worth investing in.

About the author

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer at Sportskeeda with over four years of experience in journalism and a bachelor's degree in Sports Management Marketing from Holy Family University.

Kevin has worked with various notable outlets throughout his career, including 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, Heavy Sports, and Sports Illustrated/FanNation, before joining Sportskeeda in March 2022.

Specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, Kevin's passion for basketball stems from his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Among his favorite players are Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Steph Curry, while his all-time favorites include Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Kevin holds Coach K in high regard for the large input he's had on the game helping mold players across multiple generations. Kevin believes the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped elevate the league to its current status.

Through his writing, Kevin provides in-depth analysis and insights into player and coach quotes. He prioritizes sourcing information from credible and reliable outlets.

Kevin enjoys reading, aiming to finish at least one book per month, and he is a big fan of music.

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