Guess who is leading the MVP board? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! But he is winning more. In a season teeming with standout performances, one player has consistently risen above the rest: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has been a driving force for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 32.7 points, but besides this, the Thunder’s superstar just made a bold move off the court that shook up the NBA world. In a surprising turn of events, SGA has decided to part ways with longtime agent Thad Foucher of the Wasserman Group and take the reins himself. Following the reins of another superstar, Jaylen Brown, who dropped his agent in February. But guess someone else has done this before!
But why are we talking about this? Because the timing couldn’t be more intriguing. Not only is Shai in the thick of the MVP race this season, he’s also staring down a potentially historic payday. Staring down a $300 million supermax extension possibly coming his way this offseason, SGA could be on track to become the first NBA player to earn $80 million in a single season by 2030-31. So does it make sense to part ways?
This ordeal seems eerily familiar. Gilbert Arenas, an NBA veteran, had also done something similar, dropping his agent right before his Max deal. He divulged in a conversation with DJ Vlad in his show, saying, “I mean I didn’t have an agent when I signed my deal. When you sign your big deal, or when I sign my big deal…What is this conversation about like you know what, I don’t need an agent to say max, he gets 4% for saying max like get the f*** out of here.” His views? Elite players don’t need agents to negotiate max contracts, since teams are offering the maximum, anyway. The problem? Why should someone earn 4% just to confirm an obvious deal? Makes sense?
Awaiting counter? Then, Agent Zero broke down the details of the deal, saying, “It was actually 126 million. But I end up signing for 111. I saved the team 16 million so they can keep getting other players.” Then the interviewer confirmed, “Okay, your agent would have gotten 4%, so there’s 4.44 million $4,440,000 to say, ‘Yeah, max sounds good.’” Crazy, right?
It looks like Gilbert Arenas saved himself a boatload of money and trouble. But, coming to the curious case of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his decision to drop his agent might affect his relationship with the Thunder franchise. Let us see how.
How will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s decision affect his future and negotiations?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s decision to represent himself in contract negotiations is not just bold, it could end up being the catalyst for change. Both for his career and for how players handle business in the NBA. By cutting ties with longtime agent Thad Foucher, SGA is taking full control of his future. He said, “Just felt like it was the best decision for my career going forward. Nothing more than that.” Speaking volumes of the cognizance he possesses. By handling the talks personally, he’s got himself a direct line to every clause, every number, every detail that affects his contract. No middleman, no miscommunication. Just pure transparency.
Then there’s the talk of money. Agents typically take around 4% in commission. On a potential $300 million supermax extension? That’s a cool $12 million staying in Shai’s pocket. Not a bad bonus for doing your homework. Right?
But it’s not just about the money he saves. By representing himself, SGA gets a chance to negotiate on his terms, maybe even push for rare perks like a no-trade clause. It’s a given that teams don’t always love handing those out, especially since it poses limits to their roster flexibility. But it’s the kind of detail a player might fight harder for when he’s sitting at the table himself.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) warms up before game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
That said, this path isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. NBA contracts are filled with legal fine print and complex structures. Without a seasoned agent, there’s bound to be a learning curve. Still, if SGA pulls it off, it could shake things up. Other stars might look at his success and start wondering if they need an agent at all.
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