Gilgeous-Alexander is currently in the third year of a five-year, $179.3 million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. It is a rare move for any athlete but is particularly notable for a player of Gilgeous-Alexander's stature.

At All-Star weekend, Gilgeous-Alexander said the glass ceiling of playing for a small-market squad no longer exists. Fresh off his first Converse signature shoe reveal, the 26-year-old has become a household name due to his rapid ascension into one of the league's best players over the last three seasons.