Keypoints Summary

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could become the highest paid player NBA has ever seen
• Projected to earn $80M per year with next max contract
• OKC Thunder star’s rise includes All-NBA honors, MVP buzz, and playoff runs
• Market inflation and new CBA set stage for historic deal
• Fans and analysts debate what $80M means for the future of basketball

Highest Paid Player NBA Bound? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Making History

He’s smooth. He’s silent. And He’s surgical on the court.

And now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one deal away from becoming the highest paid player NBA history has ever known.

Sources around the league say the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar is on track to shatter salary records with a projected $80 million per year in his next contract—yes, eighty million.

That’s not just bags. That’s history.

Shai’s rise hasn’t been loud, but it’s been undeniable. From his breakout performances to his first-team All-NBA nod, he’s built a case few can argue with. Smooth mid-range jumpers. Relentless rim attacks. Clutch free throws. Leadership in silence.

And now? He’s about to cash in big—possibly as early as 2026, when his current deal allows for a renegotiation or extension under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

While fans debate whether any player deserves that much, one thing is clear: Shai isn’t chasing fame. He’s earning legacy. And with the salary cap ballooning and the league’s financial ecosystem exploding, this is the new normal.

Supermax deals are growing. So is Shai’s value.

And when that pen hits paper, he’ll be writing more than a contract—he’ll be writing NBA salary history.

How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Built a $80M Resume

Before he became the highest paid player NBA teams could ever see, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was quietly grinding.

Drafted 11th overall in 2018, Shai’s journey began with flashes of brilliance in Los Angeles. But it wasn’t until he landed in OKC that his stardom took flight.

No flashy press. No drama. Just buckets.

In the 2022–2023 season, he averaged over 31 points per game. He hit game-winners. Made defenders look silly. Earned his first All-Star nod. And most importantly—led OKC back to relevance.

Fans began to notice. Then coaches. Then MVP voters.

Now? He’s a staple on every “top 10 player in the league” list. And executives around the league say his next deal, driven by both performance and the NBA’s rising salary cap, could start north of $76 million annually—with incentives that push it beyond $80M.

So what makes him worth it?

He’s young. He’s durable. He doesn’t create off-court noise. And on the court, he’s unguardable.

In a league where guards rule the floor, Shai is playing chess while others play checkers.

And that’s why every dollar will follow him.

The Numbers: Why $80M/Year Is Suddenly Realistic

At first glance, $80 million per season sounds insane. But in the modern NBA economy, it’s not fantasy. It’s math.

Thanks to the league’s exploding media rights deals and rising cap projections, the maximum salary for superstars entering their 10th year will skyrocket in 2026.

If Shai re-signs under the “Designated Veteran Supermax Extension,” he becomes eligible for 35% of the projected $175M cap. That’s $61.25M right off the bat.

Now add incentives. Add escalators. Add marketing bonuses negotiated into modern deals.

And you’re flirting with $80 million.

League insiders say OKC is already preparing to structure a contract that breaks records—because they know the alternative is worse: losing a generational talent.

Franchise players don’t just fill seats. They drive TV ratings, jersey sales, and playoff dreams.

So if you think $80M sounds wild, buckle up.

This is just the beginning.

What Fans and Analysts Are Saying

Not surprisingly, the idea of highest paid player NBA being Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has fans split right down the middle.

Some say it’s about time.

“He’s better than half the guys making $50M now. Pay that man!” one fan posted on X.

Others are skeptical.

“No one should make that for playing basketball,” one Reddit user argued. “That’s more than entire NHL rosters.”

But analysts say the debate misses the point.

“It’s not about what a player deserves emotionally,” said ESPN’s Bobby Marks. “It’s about what the market supports. And the NBA market is exploding.”

Even agents admit Shai’s camp is holding all the cards.

“He’s clean, consistent, and climbing. He’s the guy you give the keys to,” said one unnamed exec.

Love it or hate it, this deal is coming.

And once it happens, the entire financial bar of the NBA shifts again.

The Face of the Future, Paid Like It

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is calm. Cool. Collected.

And soon, he’ll be the highest paid player NBA history has ever crowned.

Not because he shouted. Not because he chased headlines. But because he let his game do the talking—and the numbers followed.

$80 million per season may sound outrageous now. But if he keeps leading, keeps winning, and keeps showing up without ego or excuses, it might just be a bargain.