Former Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous Alexander signs richest contract in NBA history

April 21, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Former Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just got rewarded for his remarkable 2024-25 campaign. 

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-6 superstar, who averaged 32.7 points with the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, signed the richest contract in NBA history. 

“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,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. “This is now the richest annual salary for a player in league history.”

“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has signed two contract extensions now as a member of the Thunder, cementing both sides' partnership and trust since he arrived to OKC in 2019. He joined an exclusive club of players to win the MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.”

Gilgeous-Alexander began his career with the Clippers following an impressive freshman campaign at Kentucky. 

While the 26-year-old was solid with Los Angeles during the 2018-19 campaign, averaging 10.8 points per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.7% from three, the Clippers traded him to the Thunder before the start of the 2019-20 season. 

The blockbuster deal sent Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round draft picks, and the rights to swap to other first-round picks to the Thunder for Paul George. 

Although it appeared to be a beneficial deal for the Clippers at the time, George and Gilgeous-Alexander are two different wavelengths in the present. 

Paul, an aging star, has been plagued by injuries and failed to bring a championship to Los Angeles during his five-year stint, while Gilgeous-Alexander recently led the Thunder to a hard-fought NBA championship. 

There’s no question Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the massive contract extension he signed during the second day of free agency.