Exciting News; Thunder General Manager Sam Presti Acknowledged His Motive For Secureing $179M Deal with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

 

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cemented his future with the franchise, signing a lucrative five-year, $179,299,750 contract extension. The deal, fully guaranteed, highlights the Thunder’s confidence in Gilgeous-Alexander as the centerpiece of their long-term rebuild.

 

With an average annual salary of $35,859,950, the contract solidifies Gilgeous-Alexander’s place among the NBA’s top-tier players. The 26-year-old guard has steadily emerged as one of the league’s brightest stars since being traded to the Thunder in 2019 as part of the Paul George deal.

 

Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascent to stardom has been remarkable. In the 2023-24 NBA season, he elevated his game to new heights, earning All-NBA First Team honors and making his first All-Star appearance. Known for his smooth scoring ability, court vision, and defensive versatility, SGA averaged an impressive 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, placing him among the league’s elite.

 

Thunder General Manager Sam Presti praised the extension, calling Gilgeous-Alexander “the embodiment of what we’re building here in Oklahoma City.” Presti emphasized the team’s commitment to building around young, dynamic talent and noted that SGA’s leadership on and off the court has been invaluable to the team’s development.

 

With Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm, the Thunder have transformed into one of the league’s most exciting young teams. Surrounded by rising stars like Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder are positioning themselves as future contenders in the Western Conference.

In a press conference following the announcement, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his gratitude for the organization and the city of Oklahoma City. “This is where I want to be. The Thunder have believed in me from day one, and I’m excited to continue building something special here with my teammates and the fans.”

 

As the Thunder’s cornerstone, Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership and skill will be pivotal in guiding the team back into playoff contention. With his new contract, the future looks bright for both the dynamic guard and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far SGA can take this young and talented squad in the seasons to come.