Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just made NBA history — and not just with a trophy. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar has officially been crowned the 2025 NBA MVP, capping off a season where he led the league in scoring and powered OKC to a league-best 68 wins.
But the real headline? SGA is now eligible for a record-breaking $380 million supermax extension, the largest contract in NBA history — potentially making him the first player to earn $1 million per game.
In one of the closest MVP races ever, he edged out Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo to become the face of a new NBA era: one defined by two-way dominance, small-market superstardom, and billion-dollar business.
Highlights
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins the 2025 NBA MVP, leading OKC to 68 wins and averaging a league-best 32.7 points per game.
- He becomes eligible for a record $380 million supermax deal, potentially making him the first NBA player to earn $1 million per game.
- SGA’s elite two-way play and leadership on the league’s best team set him apart in a tight MVP race.
- Nikola Jokić’s historic stats weren’t enough, as voters favored Shai’s all-around impact and team success.
- This MVP and contract signal a new era of NBA economics, where small-market stars can become the league’s highest-paid players.
$76 Million Per Year — More Than Shohei Ohtani
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially cemented his place among NBA royalty. The Oklahoma City Thunder star was named the 2024–25 NBA MVP, and in doing so, became eligible for the largest contract in NBA history — a staggering $380 million supermax extension over five years, potentially making him the first NBA player to earn nearly $1 million per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander met the super max criteria (All-NBA in 2 out of 3 years) last offseason but was ineligible to sign because he was short of the years of service criteria.
He is eligible this offseason to sign a four-year $293M extension with OKC.
Because he won MVP (and…
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 21, 2025
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, “Because he won MVP (and this would have applied to being named All-NBA this year), SGA is now eligible to sign a five-year $380M extension but would have to wait until the 2026 offseason.“
That kind of payday not only speaks volumes about Shai’s on-court value, but it also reflects a broader shift in NBA economics, one that places a premium on franchise players who deliver both wins and box-office appeal.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP win immediately elevates his financial ceiling. With the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement allowing for increased earnings based on accolades and tenure, his eligibility for a 35% salary cap supermax is now triggered.
“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander met the super max criteria (All-NBA in 2 out of 3 years) last offseason but was ineligible to sign because he was short of the years of service criteria. He is eligible this offseason to sign a four-year $293M extension with OKC,” Marks explained, reported by Yahoo Sports. But the MVP win changes the entire calculus.
With three more years remaining on his current five-year, $172 million extension, SGA is already financially secure. But the looming $380 million deal, waiting in the wings for the 2026 offseason, dwarfs anything previously signed.
That contract, which Gilgeous-Alexander can get no matter what happens next season, would pay him $76 million annually, which would exceed even Shohei Ohtani’s average annual value (even counting the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s deferral money).
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated underscored the historical nature of this potential payday by stating, “$76 million per year… The million dollar per game salary is coming.“
$76 million per year
The million dollar per game salary is coming https://t.co/6hki26gRJK
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) May 21, 2025
That prediction might come true sooner rather than later. With Shai likely to sign a deal that pays him $76 million annually, we’re now just one more salary cap spike away from seeing someone like Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, or Giannis Antetokounmpo cross the $1 million-per-game threshold.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points on 51.9% shooting in a season where OKC won 68 games. He also contributed 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. His shooting splits — 51.9% from the field, 35.1% from three, and 89.8% from the free-throw line — speak to an elite level of efficiency.
He led the league in total points, 30-point games (52), 40-point games (12), and even had multiple 50-point outbursts. He also topped the NBA in plus-minus and win shares, driving the Thunder to the best record in the league.
His meteoric rise, from a promising rookie with the Clippers to the best player on a 68-win Thunder team, makes him a fitting face for this era of financial and competitive dominance.
Under the NBA’s rules, players become eligible for 35% of the salary cap (the supermax) if they enter their eighth or ninth season with either an MVP award in the past three seasons or All-NBA selections or a Defensive Player of the Year Award in either the past season or two of the past three seasons. The player also has to be playing for either the team that drafted him or one that acquired him during his rookie contract.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has checked every box.
Gilgeous-Alexander is already under contract for three more seasons, by virtue of his earlier five-year, $172 million extension. Between that contract, the supermax, and his original $17 million rookie deal, he will have $576 million in career earnings through the first 14 years of his career.
No wonder he was feeling so generous; he bought Rolex watches for the entire Thunder team.
While those figures are eye-popping, they reflect the new economics of the NBA. With media rights expected to soar past $75 billion in the next deal, star players are about to be compensated at an unprecedented level, and Shai is now at the forefront.
The Thunder have also been pretty clear they’re ready to give him that contract, despite their small market.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise hasn’t just been about numbers. His leadership, poise, and humility have made him a locker room favorite and a city-wide icon. In an era where players change teams frequently, Shai has made it clear he’s building something lasting in Oklahoma City.
That matters. Especially when you’re talking about writing the biggest check in NBA history.
At only 26 years old, he has already solidified himself as the franchise cornerstone and the best shooting guard in the world.
While the dollar figure may spark debates about player salaries, Shai’s performance has validated every penny. If he ends the postseason with a Finals MVP to go with his regular-season MVP, his $380 million extension might not just be deserved, it might look like a bargain.
His blend of scoring, composure, and efficiency has made him arguably the most unguardable player in the league. And now, he’s about to be paid like it.
Fresh off winning the 2024–25 NBA MVP award, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the cusp of a financial milestone that could redefine how we talk about NBA contracts.
Thunder Ready to Offer Supermax Extension to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Says Sam Presti
In his annual end-of-season address, Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti left no ambiguity about the franchise’s intentions when it comes to its franchise cornerstone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The message was crystal clear: when the time comes, the Thunder will be ready to roll out the supermax red carpet.
“Good for him. That’s a lot of money. He’s earned that position,” Presti said in a report by OKC Thunder Wire. “Several years ago when we traded Chris Paul and handed the ball off to him, he didn’t know what would happen. But he has seized the moment and the opportunity.”
Presti emphasized that the organization is financially prepared for what’s to come, not just for Shai, but for the rest of the promising young core, which includes rising stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, both of whom are also approaching extension eligibility.
“I hope I’m not breaking a rule. But if Shai earns something like that, we need to be in position to provide that and not at the expense of the other players on the team,” Presti said. “As well, where it’s, ‘Hey, because of that, we can’t give you this. We can give you that.’… The trust is, ‘Hey, we need you to be mutually committed to the Thunder, all in on the Thunder, in sickness and in health.”
The tone of Presti’s remarks suggests a deep-rooted belief in the Thunder’s foundational pieces, and a philosophical commitment to sustaining long-term success by doubling down on mutual loyalty. He drew a comparison to the Denver Nuggets, whose consistent core — led by Nikola Jokic — culminated in an NBA championship after years of patient development and internal alignment.
“I think the thing that’s happened in Denver and other places that have long strings of success is this concept of mutual commitment,” Presti said. “I think you need to have a mutual commitment with your best players with respect to the supermax.”
For now, the Thunder have time. But with each passing summer, the urgency to solidify their partnership with Gilgeous-Alexander grows. A new supermax extension next summer would eliminate the question marks before they grow too loud.
In the NBA, windows of opportunity don’t stay open forever. But with Gilgeous-Alexander entering his prime and the Thunder signaling their full commitment, Oklahoma City might just be in position to keep theirs open for years to come.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins NBA MVP 2025: Why He Beat Nikola Jokić in One of the Closest Races Ever
In one of the most hotly contested and passionately debated MVP battles in recent NBA history, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA MVP 2025, edging out Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo to earn the first Maurice Podoloff Trophy of his career. For fans wondering who won NBA MVP 2025, the answer now rests with Oklahoma City Thunder’s dynamic two-way guard.
The 26-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the NBA, finishing the regular season with a staggering 68-14 mark. He also claimed the scoring title, averaging 32.7 points per game, and helped his team clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference as early as March 20, with 13 games left on their schedule. “Ultimately, Gilgeous-Alexander was the best player on the league’s best team and the league’s leading scorer.“
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the winner of the 2024-25 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
The complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/j4nqOAWVT2
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 21, 2025
Notably, Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 of the 100 first-place votes in the NBA MVP voting results, while Jokić garnered the remaining 29. No other player, including NBA MVP finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo, received any first- or second-place votes. This decisive breakdown answers the question many fans are asking: Why did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander win MVP?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats underscore his all-around brilliance in the 2024-25 NBA season. In 76 games, he averaged:
- 32.7 points (league-best)
- 6.4 assists
- 4.1 rebounds
- Shooting 51.9% from the field
- Shooting 37.5% from three on 5.7 attempts per game
- 1.7 steals and 1.0 block per game
He was also a major force on defense for a Thunder team that finished first among NBA defensive rating leaders, allowing only 106.6 points per 100 possessions. His performance on both ends made a strong argument for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defensive rating being one of the best for any perimeter player this season.
Whereas, Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP and reigning statistical juggernaut, posted another mind-boggling season for the Denver Nuggets. In 70 games, Nikola Jokić stats 2025 read:
- 29.6 points
- 12.7 rebounds
- 10.2 assists (a triple-double average)
- 1.8 steals and 0.6 blocks
- 57.6% FG, 41.7% 3PT on 4.7 attempts
He became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a full season, joining Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. His NBA MVP advanced stats were historically significant as well. Jokić posted a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 32.04, the fourth-best in league history. The only players above him? His 2021-22 self (32.85), 1961-62 Wilt Chamberlain (32.08), and 2021-22 Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.05).
However, Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t far behind, with a PER of 30.66, ranking 25th all-time. And critically, he edged Jokić in win shares per 48 minutes, finishing with .309 compared to Jokić’s .307. For those tracking win shares NBA, this stat is weighted heavily in evaluating MVP candidacy.
Despite Jokić’s statistical dominance, voters leaned toward the narrative of team success and two-way excellence. Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact was undeniable. With him on the court, the Thunder outscored opponents by a massive 918 points. Even without him, they were still a net positive, outscoring opponents by 137 points.
By contrast, Denver was a completely different team without Jokić. The Nuggets were outscored by 275 points when he was off the floor, while outscoring opponents by 594 with him. This stark contrast played into the Nikola Jokić MVP race arguments, but voters ultimately favored the superior overall season of Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder record.
Although NBA playoffs results do not impact MVP voting, the postseason added another layer of intrigue. The Thunder vs Nuggets Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals became a de facto statement game. Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder won the series in seven games, culminating in a Game 7 blowout that eliminated Jokić and ended Denver’s title defense.
The Thunder advanced to face the Minnesota Timberwolves and won Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in dominant fashion. This win only reinforced Gilgeous-Alexander’s standing as the league’s most impactful star. While MVP votes were cast before the playoffs, fans couldn’t help but notice who got the final word when it mattered most.
To understand why SGA won, it’s crucial to dive into NBA MVP advanced metrics explained:
- PER (Player Efficiency Rating): Jokić held the edge here with 32.04 to SGA’s 30.66.
- Win Shares per 48 minutes: SGA led the league with .309 over Jokić’s .307.
- On/Off Net Rating: Thunder +918 with SGA, +137 without. Nuggets +594 with Jokić, -275 without.
- Defensive rating: Thunder ranked No. 1 in the league.
These metrics paint a full picture. While Jokić had one of the most impressive stat lines ever, Gilgeous-Alexander combined elite numbers with top-tier defense and led his team to the best overall record.
With this win, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the first Thunder player since Russell Westbrook in 2017 to claim the NBA’s most prestigious individual honor. At just 26, he adds his name to a storied list of NBA MVP winners that includes Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.
He also solidifies his legacy as a foundational piece of Oklahoma City’s basketball future. The Thunder, boasting one of the youngest cores in NBA history, are now contending ahead of schedule thanks to their MVP leader.
As the NBA playoffs continue, all eyes will remain on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His MVP campaign may be complete, but a championship would be the ultimate validation. Meanwhile, Jokić and Antetokounmpo will look to rebound next season in pursuit of reclaiming their place at the top.
But for now, the spotlight belongs to the Canadian-born guard who turned potential into dominance.
FAQs: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2025 NBA MVP & $380M Supermax Contract
1. Who won the NBA MVP in 2025?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder was named the 2025 NBA MVP after leading his team to a league-best 68 wins and averaging 32.7 points per game.
2. Why did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander win MVP over Nikola Jokić?
SGA won due to a combination of elite two-way play, efficiency, and team success. While Jokić had a historic statistical season, voters favored Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact on both ends and his leadership on the NBA’s best team.
3. What were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats in the 2024–25 season?
SGA averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 51.9% shooting, with strong three-point and free-throw percentages.
4. How much is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s new supermax extension worth?
He is eligible for a five-year, $380 million supermax extension in the 2026 offseason — the largest contract in NBA history.
5. Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the first NBA player to earn $1 million per game?
If he signs the $380M deal, yes — he would become the first NBA player to earn roughly $1 million per game based on an 82-game season.
6. When is Shai eligible to sign this record-breaking extension?
Although he met the All-NBA criteria in 2024, he couldn’t sign last year due to years of service. He is eligible for a $293M extension this offseason, but the $380M supermax can only be signed in 2026.
7. How did SGA’s contract eligibility change after winning MVP?
Winning MVP triggered the NBA’s supermax clause, allowing him to qualify for 35% of the salary cap in a new deal — but only after meeting the required years of service.
8. What is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s current contract?
He is currently in the second year of a five-year, $172 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, signed in 2021.
9. What did Shai’s MVP voting results look like?
SGA received 71 first-place votes out of 100, with Nikola Jokić getting the remaining 29. No other player received first- or second-place votes.
10. What impact does SGA’s MVP and supermax have on the NBA landscape?
His rise signals a new financial era in the NBA, where star players in small markets can become both MVPs and the league’s highest-paid athletes. It also raises the bar for future deals for stars like Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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