Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the regular season and the NBA Finals, has formalized a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This agreement, with a duration of four seasons, amounts to 285 million dollars and ensures his permanence in the franchise until the year 2031.
Parallel to this, the Milwaukee Bucks have dispensed with the services of Damian Lillard.
Sources close to the NBA environment confirm that Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract is of the maximum type, setting a new annual salary record in the history of the league.
Although Gilgeous-Alexander’s annual salary reaches unprecedented figures, the total amount of his contract is slightly less than the extensions signed by Jayson Tatum (314 million) and Jaylen Brown (304 million) with the Boston Celtics, both for five seasons.
The Impact of “Shai” on the Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as “SGA”, has led the Thunder in a historic season, marking the first championship since the franchise was established in Oklahoma City in 2008.
During the regular season, the MVP averaged 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. In the Finals, against the Indiana Pacers, his numbers were 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, in addition to 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.
Gilgeous-Alexander joined an elite group of eleven players in NBA history to be crowned MVP in both the regular season and the Finals. This prestigious group includes legends like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Willis Reed, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Before his success in the NBA, Gilgeous-Alexander played at the University of Kentucky and was selected 11th overall in the 2018 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, who traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night.
A year later, the Clippers sent him to Oklahoma City in exchange for Paul George, in a trade that proved to be extremely beneficial for the franchise.
In the last three seasons, “Shai” has been a starter in the NBA’s starting five and has been selected for the All-Star.
Lillard and the Bucks: A Change of Course
On the other hand, Damian Lillard, with two years remaining on his contract, leaves the Milwaukee Bucks. The franchise seeks to incorporate Myles Turner, from the Indiana Pacers, as part of this restructuring.
The Bucks will take on the remaining $113 million of Lillard’s contract over the next five seasons, which will allow them to gain salary cap space.
Lillard suffered an injury to his left Achilles tendon during the recent NBA playoffs, which will keep him off the court for a considerable period.
The Bucks have an agreement to acquire Turner, a key player for the Pacers, for four seasons and $107 million, with a player option in the final year.
Turner, 29 years old, averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this season.
Lillard, 34, ends his time with the Bucks after two seasons, averaging 24.9 points (44.8% shooting), 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game.
