Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has signed a record-setting 4-year, $285 million supermax extension, solidifying his commitment to the franchise. This groundbreaking deal is poised to give him the highest single-season average salary in NBA history, with projections around $63 million in the first season and nearly $79 million by the 2030-31 season. This unprecedented contract, which coincides fittingly with Canada Day, underscores Gilgeous-Alexander's immense value after a historic season.

Coming off a phenomenal year, the 26-year-old from Ontario led the Thunder to their first-ever NBA championship, culminating in a Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers where he scored 29 points and dished out 12 assists. Beyond the team's success, Gilgeous-Alexander swept major individual awards, earning both regular-season and NBA Finals MVP honors, as well as the league's scoring title. He joined an exclusive club of players to achieve both MVP and Finals MVP in the same season, marking his second contract extension with the Thunder since his arrival in 2019.

Despite not entering the league with superstar expectations as the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft and being traded to the Thunder after his rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander's career has been on a consistent upward trajectory. Thunder general manager Sam Presti lauded his progress, stating, “He’s gotten better every single year. His mindset has allowed him to take these steps.” Presti further described him as a “basketball artist” for his emotional intelligence and ability to blend creative and objective aspects of his game, a trait he believes is common among highly successful individuals in any field.

The extension ensures the Thunder's status as perennial contenders. With their best player secured long-term, all major players under contract through at least next season, and a strategic trove of draft picks from previous trades, the team is well-positioned for future success. Gilgeous-Alexander himself acknowledged the team's potential after the championship win, remarking, “We definitely still have room to grow. That’s the fun part of this. So many of us can still get better. There’s not very many of us on the team that are ‘in our prime’ or even close to it.”