JULY 20: The Thunder have officially finalized Williams’ extension, the team announced today in a press release.
JULY 18: The Thunder have reached an agreement with forward Kenrich Williams on a four-year contract extension worth $27.2MM, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Williams, who will earn $2MM this season, is in the final year of his current contract, so his new deal will begin a year from now and will run through the 2026/27 campaign. His $2MM salary for ’22/23 had been non-guaranteed, but it’ll become protected as part of the extension agreement, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
According to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman (Twitter link), the first three years of the extension will be guaranteed, while the fourth will be a team option.
Williams, 27, is an unlikely extension recipient. The veteran swingman, who began his college career at New Mexico Junior College and went undrafted in 2018, spent his first two professional seasons with the Pelicans before being signed-and-traded to Oklahoma City in the Steven Adams deal during the 2020 offseason as a throw-in piece for salary-matching purposes.
After shooting just .371/.304/.489 in 85 games with New Orleans, Williams developed a more reliable three-point shot in Oklahoma City, boosting his shooting percentages to .501/.391/.559 in 115 games over the last two seasons. He’s also a solid, versatile defender who has now averaged 21-plus minutes per game for four straight years.
Williams is the eight player to agree to a veteran contract extension so far during the 2022/23 league year, as our tracker shows.
Because his extension exceeds three total years (including the one left on his current deal), Williams will be ineligible to be traded for six months once he officially signs his deal.
I’ve long been a fan of this guy. He has some inconsistencies, but I think that’s a good price for him, as he defends at the 4/3 spots, and shoots the 3. Obviously they have several players in those positions, but gives them more experience there, and I think he might be a useful trade piece near the deadline, or next offseason
OKC is building an extremely strong squad fr. Kenrich def shouldn’t be in any trade any time soon. His toughness (as well as LuDort) is gonna be huge for them as they transition away from rebuild mode into becoming a competitive team. They should have as good a shot of anyone at winning the #1 pick & a shot at Vinny Wembo but even if they don’t get lucky in the lottery they’ll have PLENTY of really good defenders with length & plenty of talent at guard as well. They could offer a max contract to either Middleton or Wiggins next summer to help bring em to the next level. I’d def trade Poku or Bazley before Kenrich tho no doubt
Kenny can do !
Best hair in the NBA. Love the fro-mullet!!!!
Kenny Hustle got paid. Good stuff.