The Oklahoma City Thunder are not trading Jalen Williams after his fourth NBA season was derailed by hamstring injuries. He was limited to just 33 regular-season games and suffered multiple injuries to each hamstring. Williams played a key role in the 2025 championship. He was third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense. The 25-year-old has a bright future, and the Thunder aren’t trading him.
OKC has work to do. They are projected to fly past the second apron as max extension for Williams and Chet Holmgren kick in. The Thunder need to trim payroll and create roster spots for their draft picks. Sam Presti isn’t trading Chet, despite his playoff struggles. They want to keep their Big 3 together in hopes of creating a dynasty with this core.
The Thunder are exploring trades for Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe after moving on from Aaron Wiggins. Other cost-cutting measures will be taken. Oklahoma City wants to get under the second apron, but not at the expense of their three stars.
The Thunder aren’t trading Jalen Williams
J-Dub played the fewest games and minutes of his career as he shot a career-worst 29.9 percent from 3-point range. He missed time early in the season recovering from offseason wrist surgery and was plagued by hamstring issues for the rest of the year. It was a disastrous season that had many questioning what was next.
Williams needs to get his body right. The Thunder are likely back in the NBA Finals if J-Dub stayed healthy. They lost to the Spurs in seven games, with their second-leading scorer playing starter's minutes in just one contest. Having J-Dub’s two-way impact could have flipped the series, which is even more reason to keep him in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder need to find a larger role for Cason Wallace. It is why Dort is on the trade block. OKC is loaded with backcourt depth, which allows them to give J-Dub time to get right.
The Thunder’s spending problems get worse in the 2027-28 season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract jumps from $40.8 million to $60.6 million. If they keep Wallace, he will likely get a $15-20 million per year raise as well.
It is fair to question how long Presti can keep his Big 3 together. The Thunder want to win the title in 2027 and have no desire to trade SGA, Holmgren, or Williams. This group won the championship in 2025. They just need to be healthy in the playoffs, and OKC will be favored to get another ring.
Expect Sam Presti to increase his aggressiveness in the coming days. He has two first-round draft picks to fit onto his roster and just one open space. The Thunder will get creative. They have to cut spending and stay in contention. That is easier said than done, but fans should always trust Presti.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are not trading Jalen Williams as his max extension kicks in. They saved a bit of money when J-Dub missed All-NBA. He is an elite force on both ends of the floor and will be back with the Thunder. Expect moves to be made, but the Big 3 is staying in hopes of winning it all in 2027 and beyond. Do not count OKC out.
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