11:37 am: Williams’ new contract is official, the Thunder announced today in a press release. The team completed the deal as a veteran extension, which is why it could be formally finalized now instead of having to wait until July.
9:47 am: The Thunder declined their minimum-salary team option on big man Jaylin Williams in order to negotiate a new deal with him, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to a three-year, $24MM contract.
The third and final season of the deal will be a team option, Charania adds (via Twitter).
A valuable frontcourt reserve in recent years for the newly crowned NBA champions, Williams was limited to 47 appearances in 2024/25 due in large part to a hamstring injury that delayed his regular season debut until December 23. However, he was effective when healthy, averaging 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16.7 minutes per night, with a .439/.399/.767 shooting line.
Williams, who is celebrating his 23rd birthday on Sunday, didn’t have a major role during the postseason, but he played rotation minutes off the bench against Denver in the second round and appeared in 17 of the Thunder’s 23 total playoff games.
While the Thunder could have kept Williams on the roster at a bargain price for another season by simply picking up his $2.2MM option for 2025/26, doing so would have put him on track for unrestricted free agency in 2026. By declining the option, Oklahoma City had the ability to make the former No. 34 overall pick a restricted free agent this summer, improving the team’s negotiating position.
The Thunder have taken this route on team-option players like Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins within the past few years, declining their options in order to sign them to multiyear contracts as RFAs.
Oklahoma City’s minor salary-dump trade of Dillon Jones on Saturday will allow the team to stay out of luxury tax territory while giving Williams a pay bump for 2025/26. The tax line is projected to come in at $187.9MM, while the Thunder currently have a projected team salary of $186MM, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Interesting, so their offseason is basically done. Gonna run back the same team, just swapping out Jones for their 15th overall first-round pick.
Keeping 14 of the 15 guys from the previous season might be the most roster continuity in league history.
Jacob Jackson, don’t forget Nikola Topic, the PG lottery pick from last year. Plus Sorber, that makes 2.
I wouldn’t be surprised if OKC acquires another young big to develop. If there is a vulnerability in this 6 year project for league domination, it’s at the C/PF position. The rookie extension deals that Holmgren and (JDub) Williams get this summer likely mean Hartenstein is gone after this season.
Locking up C/PF Jaylin Williams up for the next 3 seasons helps address that, as does drafting Thomas Sorber. Meanwhile OKC has a surplus of wing talent that won’t see the floor much.
Incredible financial management, they are all set and free agency does not even started, full roster already and they are still under the first luxury tax. Yes, the recent NBA champions while the most expensive roster (Phoenix) did not make it to the play-in. The best franchise management since the Spurs golden era
> The best franchise management since the Spurs
> golden era
Don’t forget the 20+ extra draft picks over the next 6 years. Sam Presti has defeated the CBA.
Yes for sure, I mentioned that in other posts. The picks, the flexibility for the coming years, the great scouting, the way they address needs in free agency without trying too hard. All that is included in “The best franchise management since the Spurs golden era”. A masterclass of how you run a franchise.
You’re preaching to the choir.
What hasn’t been discussed publicly much yet is OKC’s approach to 2nd round picks, especially how they lock them up with high-return, affordable multi-year deals. We see many posters on this board minimizing the value of 2nd round picks. It’s true that those picks can have negligible value, but only if a front office lacks sophistication.
This means he’s going to earn more than Jalen Williams next year!!!!! What a crazy world it is!
8m is too much for a guy they could replace in next years draft. Would have kept him on a min and let him walk after.
Ah yes, next time Sam Presti should definitely call you for roster building advice.
How unwise you just may be.
When needed this year as a fill-in for Chet or IH, Jaylin would say, “I got this.” Twice this year, when thrust into a starting role, all he did was respond with measly triple doubles; another time or two, double doubles. The role he plays proves how valuable Jaylin is and he is part of the deepest bench in the league. There are many who think he could start for numerous teams right now. Is that your reason for letting him “walk”, Mr. phillyb? Have you ever researched how many charges/turnovers he gets/causes? Look it up. He is one of the very best in the league.
Good extension and value. OKC cap isnt bad either. They already drafted IH’s replacement. This team knows how to manage the cap. Such a smart basketball team.
Is this the first Finals for all of you here …..
Every Finals winner comes back with the same team basically. Thats what winning does. That’s why you build a core ….. Thunder have the added luxury of youth. That’s the only difference. Thunder were the best team. They weren’t dominant. As the Pacers proved. The 5th seed in the East. If they had Hali 100% healthy could of made it different. I really wonder how well you understand this game …….
> Is this the first Finals for all of you here …..
> Every Finals winner comes back with the same team
FALSE! The exact opposite is true.
Although the Celtics lost no players after winning a Chip, that never happened before. On average, a Championship team loses MORE players (6-7) than the league average (about 5-6). From the last 9 years, from each Championship roster of 14-15, this many players were not with the team the following year.
2023–24 BOS — 0 players departed
2022–23 DEN — 4 players departed
2021–22 GSW — 4 players departed
2020–21 MIL — 5 players departed
2019–20 LAL — 8 players departed
2018–19 TOR — 11 players departed
2017–18 GSW — 5 players departed
2016–17 CLE — 9 players departed
2015–16 GSW — 7 players departed
The Celtics also didn’t bring back everyone (Svi, Brissett departed).
Thanks, Luke. Just out of curiosity, do you find the above numbers surprising?
I’m using Gemini Pro to test the following hypothesis more generally:
1) the more a team wins, the higher the roster turnover
2) the less, the lower the roster turnover
3) no statistical correlation between success and turnover
Care to make a prediction?
Pacers don’t even make it past Boston if Tatum doesn’t get hurt. Only thing that was working against OKC was lack of experience in the postseason. They have that now. Cinderella run for Hali and the Pacers. Clock struck midnight and they lost their glass slipper. OKC is set up perfectly for a dynastic run for the ages…
Thomas Sorber is a great pick for Thunder. He is an excellent pairing with Chet. Still a few yrs away. Has more talent than IHart. He is in a great place to learn and grow. I can’t believe Thunder were able to get him. IHart has two yrs left. A team option on second year. Thunder could just let him walk. If there is one thing Thunder can use. Is a shooter. Like a over 45% shooter on open looks. Sorber is a real big with a big future. Excellent pick imo …..
He stretches the floor and plays well. Going to be their Kenrich once he is gone. Ihart won’t be making $30 million if he comes back too. Jaylin is a good dude to have around.