The Oklahoma City Thunder have already made a number of moves to sort out their roster problem this offseason.
They traded both Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe for a grand total of four second-round picks. While this might not have been the most inspiring return, it did immediately solve a rotational issue for the team.
They also, somewhat painfully, declined Kenrich Williams' team option for next season. That was always the likely outcome given the fact that the one year and $7.2 million remaining on his contract was no longer viable as the team attempts to duck closer to the second apron. There is, of course, always a world where Williams returns on the veteran minimum for 2026-27. That is currently set at around $3.7 million as a result of his eight years of NBA experience, per Spotrac.
The veteran minimum exception would allow Oklahoma City to bring Williams back without regard for the second apron. But the issue is still one of pure math. Once it's all said and done, it seems unlikely that the Thunder will have a roster spot for Williams to fill.
Kenrich Williams' time with the Thunder may have already come to an end
Williams is about as valuable as an end-of-bench veteran as you can find in the NBA. Across 56 appearances last season, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 47.3% from the field. But his real value has never translated to box-score numbers. Williams is a leader, and he consistently plays with the energy and grit that the Oklahoma City system requires of all of its players.
If there was a way to bring him back without causing additional roster difficulties, it's safe to assume Sam Presti would do it.
But even after the trades of Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, the Thunder have 14 players under contract for 2026-27. That includes Isaiah Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort. Oklahoma City picked up Dort's team option for next season while extending Hartenstein for three years and $75 million.
That doesn't, however, include the contracts of Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, who were selected at 12th and 16th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Otega Oweh, the Thunder's second-round selection, will likely come in on a two-way deal. But that still leaves the Thunder with 16 players who need guaranteed contracts and only 15 roster spots.
Perhaps this results in a trade of Dort, which seems likely at this juncture. But who else goes? Probably not Alex Caruso or Jaylin Williams. Perhaps Thomas Sorber is moved, but there's always a chance the Thunder want to see what both he and Mara look like before rendering judgement on that matter.
Because Oklahoma City chose to make all of their draft selections, the path for Williams to return to the Thunder seems slim. The longer they go without making another move, the narrower that path gets.
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