Big Shai Gilgeous-Alexander decision could be great news for Thunder fans

Chris Haynes reported that the Thunder star is leaving his old management in favor of representing himself in contract negotiations. It's an unusual move for an NBA superstar, but one that makes sense given Gilgeous-Alexander's situation.

This summer, SGA can sign a four-year extension to his current five-year contract, which runs through the 2026-27 season. It would be worth $294.3M, giving him $373.4M over the next six seasons. If he's willing to commit long-term, it's very likely that the Thunder would be happy to lock their MVP candidate through his age-32 season.

If his team is offering Gilgeous-Alexander the maximum permissible salary, there's not much more than an agent can get him. Players need agents when their future is uncertain, whether it's entering free agency or trying to arrange a trade. That's one reason Joel Embiid hasn't had an agent since leaving Creative Arts Agency in 2021.

Embiid lost his old agent, Leon Rose, when Rose became president of the New York Knicks. But with Embiid staying with the Philadelphia 76ers, he saved a great deal of money on agent commissions when he signed supermax extensions in 2021 and 2024.

One other former 76er likely regretted going without an agent. James Harden didn't have an agent for six years, before hiring one in February 2023. That was less than a year after Harden signed a below-market deal with the Sixers, which he thought would lead to a long-term extension. That never came, and Harden eventually forced a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers after a protracted standoff with Philadelphia.

That's a situation where an agent is invaluable. But Gilgeous-Alexander dismissing his reps is a great sign that he's not planning to play anywhere but Oklahoma City in the next half-decade.