Generational Wealth: NBA’s Young Core Just Blessed Their Legacies

We all know playing in the NBA is more than just lights and highlights—it’s about securing that bag. And several of the league’s brightest have been cashing in big-time.

💰 Devin Booker — 2 years, $145 million

Yes, you read that right — $72.5 million per season, making him the highest-paid annual salary in NBA history. And while I once questioned if Booker should stay in Phoenix, you can’t blame him for taking care of business.

A four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, he's been Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer and has averaged 25+ points in each of the past seven seasons—only he and Giannis can make that claim. Couple that with his new career-high 7.1 assists? That’s generational money for a generational player.

⚡ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 4 years, $285 million

SGA just locked in a massive payday with OKC. This past season, he averaged 32.7 PPG in the regular season and 30.3 in the Finals, becoming the first player since Shaq in 2000 to win a scoring title and NBA title in the same year.

That triple crown—MVP, scoring title, and NBA title—is rarefied air shared only with Jordan (four times), O’Neal, and Kareem.

SGA isn’t just elite—he’s legendary.

Chet Holmgren — 5 years, $250 million

Holmgren, the 7-footer with guard skills, is also locked in until 2030-31. The Thunder are doubling down on their blueprint—build around their core.

Chet’s rim protection, spacing, and evolving offense make this a mutually smart bet.

Jalen Williams — 5 years, up to $287 million

Williams is next in line for the Thunder cash-out. Already flashing All-Star upside, this extension locks in another young star to OKC’s future.

🌟 Paolo Banchero — 5 years, $287 million (rookie max)

Over in Orlando, Banchero isn’t messing around. The No.1 pick from 2021 locked in his rookie max. He came out hot—ROTY, then an All-Star in year two with 25.9 PPG and an all-around 7.5/4.8 line.

Orlando’s betting on him to be their franchise cornerstone.

🏆 Final Take

Look, I get it — fans love to debate who’s truly chasing championships. But let's be real: when the checks clear, you take the money and the shot at a ring.

And all five players above did just that.

They’re not just collecting paydays—they’re building legacies.

Winning and wealth?

That’s a championship-level combo.