Atlanta (USA) (EFE).- Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, ‘MVP’ of the regular season and the NBA Finals, has signed a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder for four seasons and 285 million dollars, which ties him to the franchise until 2031, while the Milwaukee Bucks have cut Damian Lillard, according to ESPN on Tuesday.
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During the regular season, the ‘MVP’ averaged 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, 6.4 assists per game and in the Finals against the Indiana Pacers 30.3 points, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds, as well as 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. Shai was the eleventh player in NBA history to be crowned the ‘MVP’ of the regular season and the Finals in the same year. He shares that honor with names like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Willis Reed and Shaquille O’Neal. Gilgeous-Alexander played for the University of Kentucky and was selected at number 11 in the 2018 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, who traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night. A year later, the Clippers traded him to Oklahoma City in exchange for Paul George, in one of the most profitable operations for a franchise in the recent history of the NBA. ‘Shai’ has been in the NBA’s starting five for the last three seasons, in which he has also been selected for the All-Star. Lillard, injured and cut by the Bucks
For his part, star Damian Lillard, with two seasons remaining on his contract, leaves the Milwaukee Bucks, who with that margin seek to incorporate Myles Turner, from the Indiana Pacers. According to Charania, the Bucks will pay the $113 million still owed to Lillard over the next five seasons, in a deal that allows them to gain salary cap space. Lillard injured his left Achilles tendon during the recent NBA ‘playoffs’, a major injury that leaves him off the courts for much of next season. According to ESPN, the Bucks have an agreement to acquire Turner, a key player for the NBA finalist Pacers, for four seasons and $107 million, with a player option in the final year. Turner, 29 years old, has averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this season. Lillard, for his part, ends his time with the Bucks after two seasons in Milwaukee. The point guard, 34 years old, has averaged 24.9 points with 44.8% accuracy, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds this season.
