Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell
Prediction: $293.4 million for four years
Starting season salary: $65.5 million (2027-28)

Gilgeous-Alexander improves every year, as do the Oklahoma City Thunder, who jumped from the lottery to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference before falling in the second round to the Mavericks.

The two-time All-Star earned All-NBA first-team honors the past two seasons, making him “supermax” eligible, though he has to wait until he has seven years of service to extend.

Mitchell just extended with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he can get back to free agency by opting out of his final year (2027-28). The timing is perfect for him to get paid at the top tier (10 years of service),

While Gilgeous-Alexander can wait until 2026 to extend for the full five additional years at $379.9 million, that assumes he still qualifies and is willing to let a massive payday go potentially unclaimed. Instead, expect him to add four seasons next summer (six total with his existing contract through 2026-27) at $293.4 million.

Pencil in Mitchell, as well, with another extension in two years, adding four seasons for almost $300 million. He could also wait for $379.9 million, but an extension is likelier.

While Gilgeous-Alexander is only eligible with the Thunder, Mitchell can sign anywhere as a free agent to the same starting salary, but for four years with five percent raises (instead of eight) at $281.6 million.