The Oklahoma City Thunder can’t keep three max contract players on their roster if they want to avoid the NBA’s harsh second apron restrictions, and Ajay Mitchell’s emergence opens the door for the franchise to trade Jalen Williams. The problems are here. The Thunder are projected to be $28.5 million over the second apron next season, and things get worse in the 2027-28 season when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets a $20 million per season raise. If OKC plans on maintaining their depth, they likely have to dump a star.
Mitchell cracked the rotation in his second season and quickly proved to be a key piece. He showed scoring, ball-handling, playmaking, and defensive chops that few expected from the second-round draft pick. Mitchell raised his game as J-Dub struggled to stay healthy. He averaged 15.1 points, 3.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in the 29 games Mitchell played without Williams. The Thunder were 28-1 in those contests.
Mitchell is 24 years old for the entire 2026-27 season. He is still blossoming and already looking like Sam Presti’s next find. The 6’4 guard is under contract for just $2.8 million for each of the next two seasons. It is the best contract in the NBA, and it gives the Thunder a window to trade J-Dub to avoid the second apron.
Ajay Mitchell’s breakout opens the door for the Thunder to trade Jalen Williams
OKC is not trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two-time MVP is the face of the franchise, but will make $60.6 million in the 2027-28 season. Chet Holmgren is locked in with the Thunder as his max extension kicks in. They want to maintain their depth with players like Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace. I-Hart and Wallace will need new contracts for the 2027-28 season, and Oklahoma City is just $12 million under the second apron now.
The Thunder aren’t trading J-Dub this offseason. He was third-team All-NBA in 2025, but played just 33 games in 2026. Hamstring injuries were a problem and even forced him to miss time in the playoffs. OKC is hoping to get Williams healthy and avoid selling low. He is an elite scorer and defender, but the dreaded second apron makes every NBA franchise feel pain.
Sam Presti may have a heartbreaking decision to make next summer. The Thunder have to gut their depth or trade a star. They have nobody to replace Holmgren. Finding a stretch seven-footer capable of protecting the rim and being one of the best defenders in the world is nearly impossible. OKC proved they can win without Williams this season. They fell short in the conference finals, but it was with J-Dub and Mitchell sidelined.
Mitchell wouldn’t fully replace Williams. The 6’4 guard could blossom into a 20-point-per-game scorer, but he is a worse playmaker and defender. Others would have to step up, and Sam Presti has the depth in place. He could get a massive haul for J-Dub that only further builds out Oklahoma City’s roster.
The Oklahoma City Thunder could use Ajay Mitchell’s breakout to trade Jalen Williams and avoid the second apron. It would be a bold move, but Presti is never afraid to make those. He will do whatever it takes to improve the Thunder’s odds of winning a title.
That could mean trading J-Dub once he rebuilds his value. There will be pain either way, and all fans can do is wait to see how Presti handles the spending issues.
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