Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to represent himself as agent

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to represent himself as agent

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has rapidly ascended into being one of the best players in the NBA and is a frontrunner for the 2024-25 MVP along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic.

Gilgeous-Alexander made an important business decision for him this week, parting ways with his agents Joe Smith and Thad Foucher of the Wasserman Group, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Tuesday. By doing so, the 26-year-old plans to represent himself.

Sources: Oklahoma City Thunder superstar/MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has parted ways with his representation to make the bold move of serving as his own agent. #haynesbriefs

Brought to you by @Nuna_USA pic.twitter.com/mWN1ux6t31

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 19, 2025

To Haynes’ point, very few NBA players actually do this. But it may not be the worst idea for Gilgeous-Alexander to explore this option–while it’s bold.

He will eligible to sign a four-year, $293 million supermax deal this offseason, which won’t begin until the 2027-28 season. He’s expressed the idea to stay with Oklahoma City long-term, and he’s one of the best players in the league.

NBA agents are permitted to have a max of four percent commission. While their responsibility is more than being the intermediary between the front office and players in negotiations (so they don’t become personal), if Gilgeous-Alexander knows he’s getting supermax, he’s saving eight figures.

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Haynes mentions that he will still have an agency for endorsement deals, which are allowed a 10 percent commission. The NBA is a league with at least one unhappy superstar every six months, which can cause a ripple effect for other moves.

But it’s surprising that more players don’t go this route, as crude as it may sound from a business perspective. Though one ripple effect could be that there would be fewer agencies for these players to choose from.

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