In the days leading up to the 2021 Draft, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had “reportedly” been on the rumor mill. Sam Presti was quick to dispel those claims. Monday evening, Presti backed up his statements inking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a five-year maximum extension.
The announcement of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s resigning broke the second he became eligible for extension. Though the deal cannot be put to pen and paper until August 6, the terms and conditions are set and stone.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie-scale deal nets him $5.4 million for next season, but beginning in 2022 — the floodgates will be open wide. Under the deal’s current provisions, Gilgeous-Alexander will make $172 million over five seasons, completing his five-year term in the summer of 2027.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s current $172 million deal allocates him $29.8 million in 2022, $32.1 million in 2023, $34.5 million in 2024, $36.9 million in 2025, and $39.27 million in 2026.
Reading into the details of GIlgeous-Alexander’s contract, his contract will inflate by 30% to $207 million if he reaches All-NBA honors during the upcoming season.
One of the biggest pleasantries attached to Gilgeous-Alexander’s is that there are zero opt-outs within his contract. Unlike most major extensions, there is no team option, player option, or early termination option constructed into his deal. The point being, his deal takes him until the 2027 offseason, no strings attached.
Gilgeous-Alexander will be age 29 when his new deal expires.
For Oklahoma City, they manage to ink a maximum deal with their cornerstone guard — an accomplishment last displayed three seasons summer ago with Paul George. Gilgeous-Alexander was the franchise’s glistening player on the roster last season placing 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 35 appearances. He was just 22-years-old in his third-year campaign.
As the now 23-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander is hooked on for the future, it is now up to Sam Presti to mold around his star.