SGA, Embiid, Tatum and Richest Contracts in NBA History After $285M Thunder Extension
The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly made reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the highest-paid player in NBA history in terms of average annual value Tuesday.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Thunder signed SGA to a four-year, $285 million extension, giving him an AAV of $71.3 million.
Here is a rundown of the 10 highest-AAV contracts in NBA history, per Spotrac, headlined by Gilgeous-Alexander, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): $71.351 million
- Joel Embiid (PHI): $64.302 million
- Jayson Tatum (BOS): $62.786 million
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): $58.456 million
- Anthony Davis (LAL-DAL): $58.456 million
- Jaylen Brown (BOS): $57.078 million
- Damian Lillard (POR-MIL): $56.291 million
- Jimmy Butler (GSW): $55.479 million
- Nikola Jokić (DEN): $55.224 million
- Bam Adebayo (MIA): $55.116 million
Gilgeous-Alexander, who turns 27 on July 12, enjoyed a career year last season and brought the Thunder their first NBA championship since moving to OKC.
In 76 games last season, SGA averaged a league-leading and career-best 32.7 points per game to go along with 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 three-pointers made, 1.7 steals and 1.0 block.
He was also efficient at all levels, shooting 51.9 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 89.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly as good during the Thunder's 23-game playoff run, averaging 29.9 points, 6.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.4 three-pointers made per contest.
Originally the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft out of Kentucky, Gilgeous-Alexander spent his first season with the Los Angeles Clippers before getting traded to OKC.
The Thunder changed the trajectory of the franchise with that deal, as they landed SGA, five first-round picks and two pick swaps in exchange for Paul George.
One of those picks was used to take Jalen Williams, who was an All-Star, All-NBA Third Team an All-NBA Defensive Second Team selection this season.
As for Gilgeous-Alexander, he has averaged 30 or more points per game in three straight seasons, and he is now a three-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection.
Given his accolades and the likelihood that he has several more hugely productive seasons ahead of him, it is easy to understand why the Thunder were willing to reward him with a historic contract.
