Thunder's Gilgeous-Alexander Staying Locked In Following Max Extension
Fresh off of a max contract extension, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on top of the world.
He just isn’t acting like it.
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of four members from the 2018 NBA Draft class to receive a max contract, following Michael Porter Jr.’s recent extension news. In the final year of his new deal, he’ll be making just shy of $40 million.
At just 22-years-old, he averaged 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists, all while shooting over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line.
“Honestly if you were just hanging out with him for a day, you would never know it.” Said Ty Jerome, one of Gilgeous-Alexander’s closest teammates. “He's super humble about it. He's a great teammate every day. He comes in, treats every single person in the building the same way. He comes in trying to get better every day. So I think he handles it as well as I think anybody can."
Alonzo Adams / USA TODAY Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly become a leader in the young locker room. And despite being the blatant face of the franchise, his mindset hasn’t changed.
“Yeah, obviously it was a dream come true.” The 23-year-old guard said of his new deal during the Thunder’s media day on Monday. “Super proud of it, super happy about it, obviously. But I know for me, the job is not done, work is not done. It's just one milestone I get to cross off my list, but I still have 90 percent of my list, so I won't stop.”
One of the newer additions to the team, Vit Krejci, who hasn’t spent a ton of time with Gilgeous-Alexander, realizes that no amount of money would change him.
“Absolutely not.” Krejci said of any changes in Gilgeous-Alexander’s demeanor. “I mean, I didn't know him much from before, but I don't think he's the type of person that the money will change anything. I know he's a good guy. I know he's going to take care of his family, and he's just looking forward to playing basketball. That's all we want to do.”
Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City will kick off its preseason slate with a contest against the Hornets on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the message board community today!
Like SI Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
