CBS Predicts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Could Become NBA’s First $400 Million Contract

As the salary cap increases, max deals will only grow in number, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be due for the biggest deal in NBA history.

Even before taking off a season ago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a bright young talent in the NBA for some time now. So much so that he received a max extension with the Thunder before even making an All Star team. Now, that original extension looks as smart as ever.

Gilgeous-Alexander enjoyed his best professional season yet a season ago, averaging 31.4 points and 5.5 assists on 51% shooting from the floor. He blossomed into a true MVP candidate, and with his break out, Oklahoma City’s ceiling increased exponentially. It’s becoming a proven fact that team’s need an MVP-caliber player to compete for a championship, and now, Oklahoma City has one in Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder star signed his original max extension in 2021, and it kicked in a season ago as he rose to superstardom. 

The contract was good for five years, $179.3 million with benefits that raise it even higher with All-NBA level performance. As SGA plays out the rest of the massive contract, an even bigger one is potentially on the horizon. If things go according to plan, Oklahoma City will desperately be trying to ink his new deal early.

“Our prime candidate here is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander,” CBS noted. “Who did not get a player-option on the last year of his rookie extension like draft-mates Doncic and Young, so if he wants to tack five years onto his deal, he will have to wait until the summer of 2026. If he does so and remains at the All-NBA level he reached last season, he has a real chance to become the NBA's first $400 million player.”

If Gilgeous-Alexander's trajectory continues on the same path, CBS' thinking is correct. He'll have a chance to reset the NBA's contract market. 

The Thunder will have some tough decisions to make financially, because by that point, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will all be on new contracts. It appears to be nearly impossible to pay everyone what they deserve, but only time will tell. For now, Gilgeous-Alexander is the only one who's proven he can play at an MVP level.

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