Rolex Can Suddenly Count the NBA’s Top Team as Fans

Oklahoma City Thunder’s star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has finally achieved what at least some felt was inevitable. Ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Knicks and Pacers, the Canadian basketball superstar was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for 2025.

It’s a fitting capstone, short of eventually winning a title, that already included Alexander averaging a league-best 32.7 points per game during the regular season, winning 68 games, and securing the Thunder the No. 1 playoff seed.

But anyone remotely aware of the struggle that is buying a new Rolex at MSRP over the last five to ten years might walk away more impressed by Alexander’s post-award generosity to his teammates.

Making Good on a Promise

Rolex

In a series of video clips captured by his OKC teammates that quickly spread across the internet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed his appreciation for the help his teammates help in securing the 2025 NBA MVP Award in a very classy way.

“I’ve said it a million times in there, and it sounds cliche, but really, like, this is not possible without you guys, and I know that,” Alexander professed to his teammates seated around him to kick off the gifting ceremony.

Apparently, Alexander had previously told the team they could expect new watches in the event he took home the award.

“I appreciate you guys, love you guys, and just to show my love, I got some gifts for y’all.” He later added, “there is some wrist work in there that I promised y’all.”

Despite the sincerity of the moment, Alexander also deserves credit for not letting the event turn too sappy or formal.

“Actually, you know what? Everyone just come over here and open it up like Christmas.”

Impactful Gifts

Rolex

Another widely circulated clip posted by the team’s giddy center/power forward Jaylin Williams shows him shaking his wrist while wearing what appears to be a new Rolex Submariner Date Oyster Steel and Yellow Gold (Ref 126613LN).

Amidst the excitement, Williams still had the presence of mind to drop a few dad-joke-level cliches to a laughing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sitting in the background.

“Perfect timing!” Williams says while bringing his wrist up the phone camera to show of his new two-toned Sub, adding later, “What time it is y’all?”

In the same shot, we see other team members also flashed their new Rolexes.

It’s unclear whether every single member of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster received a new Rolex, though it sure looks that way in the clips, given how many different wrists are flashed.

According to my rough estimation, If he did indeed buy every team member a new Rolex, that would amount to 17 different watches. And if you were to ballpark the average MSRP of each watch at $15,000, that would mean his show of respect and appreciation cost him roughly a quarter of a million dollars.

Rolex

That figure could be much higher if Alexander bought the watches on the grey market, where Rolex’s tend to sell for a 30% premium or higher depending on the model.

This is just speculation on my part, but based on mix of models gifted, it feels as if Alexander might’ve acquired them all from an authorized Rolex dealer or two in a recent splurge.

Finding any new Rolex in stock at an authorized dealer can be challenging for the average consumer, but the brand’s two-toned models often have a reputation for being some of the easiest to score.

Though it might be the most affordable watch gifted by Alexander in terms of MSRP, the Rolex Submariner Date Oystersteel (Ref 126610LN) is arguably the most difficult watch to score directly from a n authorized dealer given its massive popularity.

Then again, as NBA superstar and newly crowned MVP, there’s also the distinct possibility that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has watch buying connections and opportunities most mortals don’t.

Subs, Datejusts, and Sky-Dwellers, Oh My!

Rolex

As usual with social media, the videos are grainy and often out of focus, making identifying the exact Rolex references Alexander gifted a bit of a guessing game. The room’s white lighting doesn’t make the task any easier.

That said, after a lot of staring and repeated playbacks, I feel confident that the barrage of watches included several different variations of Rolex’s latest Submariner, including two-toned gold versions that cost nearly $18,000 at retail.

A few silver Datejusts with fluted bezels are also visible, but it’s difficult to determine their exact dial colors.

At least one team member, Chet Holmgren, received what might be the most expensive watch of the batch, at least based on MSRP.

Holmgren appears to be wearing a Rolex Sky-Dweller Oyster Steel and Yellow Gold (Ref 336933), which has a current MSRP of $22,450.

The significance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s gesture wasn’t lost on Holmgren, who was asked directly by a reporter in an interview what it meant for his teammate to raise the MVP trophy.

Holmgren joked, “It means a lot…for my wrist,” while laughing and proudly wearing his new gift.

Rolex Pricing and Availability

If you’re interested in dropping hints to those you know about potential gift ideas, feel free to take some inspiration from the MVP via the official Rolex product listings below.

Rolex

Rolex Sky-Dweller Oyster Steel and Yellow Gold (Ref 336933)

• $22,450 at Rolex

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