The NBA’s financial landscape is shifting fast, and nothing symbolizes that more than the rising value of NBA player contracts. Designed to help teams retain their homegrown stars, some of these megadeals are now pushing well beyond $300 million, with ripple effects that stretch across the entire league.
As we head into the 2025–26 season, a new wave of supermax extensions is coming into focus. Some have already been signed. Others are on the horizon. But whether it’s the pressure to win, the risk of injury, or the desire for long-term control, these five contracts could fundamentally reshape how the Western and Eastern Conferences unfold in 2026, and beyond.
Luka Doncic: Three-Year, $165 Million Extension
Luka Doncic may have already committed to the Lakers with a 3-year, $165 million extension this summer, but that was just the beginning. By locking in now, Doncic secured eligibility for a projected 5-year, $406 million supermax in 2028, the richest contract in NBA history. It’s a deal that would keep him in Los Angeles through his prime and make him the defining superstar of the post-LeBron James era.
For the Lakers, this extension represents a full-scale shift in identity. No longer a veteran-heavy team built around aging stars, the franchise has reoriented itself around Doncic’s unique offensive brilliance and long-term upside. The front office has already started constructing a Luka-centric roster, adding players like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia, most of whom were handpicked with Doncic’s input.
Jayson Tatum: Five-Year, $315 Million Supermax
Jayson Tatum’s new contract isn’t just the richest in Celtics history; it’s the latest proof that Boston is all-in on their current core. With Jaylen Brown already on a $304 million deal of his own, the Celtics are officially locked into the most expensive duo in the NBA. That comes with massive expectations.
Now entering his ninth season, Tatum has established himself as one of the league’s most complete forwards. He’s a 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA selection, and the centerpiece of a Celtics squad that’s made four conference finals and two Finals appearances since 2020. But as dominant as they’ve been, the Celtics still only have one ring to show for it, and it came in 2024, when they steamrolled the East and finally broke through in the playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Four-Years, $285 Million
Fresh off an MVP season and a championship run, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inked one of the most significant deals in league history: a 4-year, $285 million supermax extension that kicks in during the 2027-28 season. With an average annual salary of $71.25 million, it’s the richest deal ever by AAV, making SGA the highest-paid player in NBA history under the new salary cap rules.
The Thunder didn’t hesitate. After watching SGA average 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game en route to the franchise’s first title since the Durant–Westbrook era, they locked in their cornerstone through 2031. This deal doesn’t just reward past success; it ensures Oklahoma City remains a perennial contender, anchored by one of the game’s most dynamic two-way guards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Three Years, $186 Million
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the NBA’s most dominant forces and one of its most valuable. In 2023, the 2x MVP signed a 3-year, $186 million supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, locking him in through the 2026-27 season, with a massive $62.7 million player option for 2027-28. While the deal reaffirmed his short-term commitment, it also applied pressure on the franchise to keep building a winner around him.
That pressure has only intensified. With Damian Lillard now gone and the roster in flux, the Bucks are navigating one of the most delicate eras of Giannis’ career. The front office has been aggressive this summer, retooling with veteran pieces and exploring trade options, but the clock is ticking. If the team doesn’t deliver another deep playoff run soon, speculation around Giannis’ future will ramp up fast, and another team may end up paying out his lucrative contract.
Anthony Edwards: Five Years, Up To $260 Million
Anthony Edwards is already the face of the Timberwolves, but his next All-NBA selection could officially make him their most expensive player of all time. His rookie max extension, signed in 2023, is worth up to $260 million if he triggers the supermax escalators by making an All-NBA team again. At just 24 years old, Edwards is trending toward that level after averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season while leading Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals.
Of course, if (or when) he qualifies for the supermax, the Wolves will find themselves in a tight financial bind. With Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and now Edwards all on nine-figure contracts, Minnesota could be forced to part ways with one of its other stars (most likely Gobert) to stay under the luxury tax and avoid financial penalties under the league’s new CBA.
Worth Every Penny
For all the sticker shock these contracts generate, the reality is that supermax players are worth the investment when the team gets it right. Locking in a generational talent gives franchises the foundation to build sustainable contenders, and in today’s NBA, one superstar can still shift the balance of power overnight. The challenge now is not whether these stars deserve the money, but whether their franchises can make the most of the championship window that follows.
As teams brace for the cap to climb even higher with new media deals on the horizon, these five supermax contracts stand out as turning points, not just for the players who signed them, but for the future of their teams, conferences, and potentially the league as a whole.
