This offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder have encountered a painful truth— they simply have too many reliable role players to keep the core of the roster intact indefinitely.
The trades of Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe over the past few weeks were all understandable. Each of their individual roles, both from a perspective of on-ball defense and perimeter shooting, are replaceable by the Thunder's young pieces. That's always been part of Sam Presti's roster-building plan. Now, it's simply a question of whether it's successful.
For a team that chooses to pay three stars, role players and depth pieces will need to be continuously cycled in and out. To Presti's credit, his decision to tack team options onto the end of a number of the organization's deals has granted them some much-needed flexibility.
Dort's team option allowed Oklahoma City to recoup draft capital in his departure. Kenrich Williams' allowed the team to bring him back at a much more modest price point. Isaiah Hartenstein's gave the team the flexibility to extend him at what was likely a below-market rate.
But when the Thunder ultimately enter next offseason with a number of new financial concerns, Dort's fate may be the model the organization is forced to follow with its remaining assets. Jaylin Williams has a $7.7 million team option for 2027-28, and that could quickly make him the clearest trade candidate on the roster.
Jaylin Williams' team option could leave him as one of the odd men out next offseason
With the way the roster is currently constructed, Williams' presence isn't a necessity. But it is a much-appreciated luxury.
Both Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren will be in the starting lineup as often as possible, and it's difficult to project what either Thomas Sorber or Aday Mara will provide in their first full NBA seasons. Williams certainly has his deficits as a defender, but he's a capable playmaker and an apt small-ball five for when the Thunder need a leader for the bench unit.
His production in 2025-26 was also impressive— he averaged 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc across 65 games.
But with the inevitable extension for Cason Wallace kicking in in 2027-28 and both Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell becoming eligible for their own new contracts, there will need to be another series of moves from the front office.
It will take more than just a trade of Williams to clear the necessary space, especially as Gilgeous-Alexander's contract takes the leap to a $60 million annual value. Perhaps Alex Caruso, who's slated to make just under $21 million in 2027-28, is another trade candidate. But Williams should be easily movable assuming he puts up another strong season, and taking nearly $8 million off the books is not a negligible move.
It will require the right roster fit, but what team wouldn't want to take on a capable, floor-spacing backup center at a modest price point?
Dort was traded this offseason because the combination of his team option and his declining production made him expendable. Williams, even without a decline, may very well find himself in the same position next offseason.
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