On Tuesday, July 1, Shai Gilgeous–Alexander — fresh off leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship and earning both league and Finals MVP honors — signed a new contract with the franchise that made him the highest-paid player in NBA history. However, that record stood for only eight days before it was surpassed by Devin Booker.
On Wednesday, July 9, news broke that Booker had agreed to a contract extension with the Phoenix Suns, one that eclipsed the massive deal signed by Gilgeous-Alexander just days earlier. With the new agreement, the 28-year-old shooting guard and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA became the highest-paid player in NBA history.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Booker’s extension with the Phoenix Suns is worth $145 million over two seasons, bringing his total deal to $316 million through the end of the 2029–30 season. The new terms will pay him an average of $72.5 million per year — the highest annual salary in NBA history to date.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder worth $285 million. While the total value of his deal is higher, a closer look at the numbers shows his annual salary averages $71.4 million per season — just below Booker’s new mark.
Either way, both contracts represent massive paydays, but the details reveal that Devin Booker edges out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by just over $1 million per year. The Suns will look to bounce back from a disappointing season in which much was expected from Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.
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However, KD was traded to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal that sent Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round selections to the Suns.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Beal could also be on his way out of Phoenix, with the Los Angeles Clippers emerging as strong contenders to land the former Wizards star.
“As long as Bradley Beal secures a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns, the LA Clippers are likely the leaders to sign the guard,” The Athletic recently reported, outlining the conditions that would enable the former Wizards star to switch teams this offseason.
