The Oklahoma City Thunder will need to truly stare down the barrel of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement this offseason. As it stands, they are projected to be over $23 million into the second apron at the start of the 2026-27 season..
Fortunately, the solution to this problem is rather obvious. The team has three club options totaling just over $53 million for next season: for Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Kenrich Williams. With the depth and talent they have amassed on the roster, parting with any of these players will be uncomfortable but would ultimately be achievable.
Dort's club option is something that will be debated all year. Given the importance of Hartenstein to the team, this likely means an unavoidable end to Kenrich Williams' Thunder tenure.
Williams, however, is making a desperate push to avoid this reality with his performance this season.
Kenrich Williams is building a case for the Thunder to pick up his club option this offseason
On a championship-contending roster, talent will inevitably be cycled out. In order to carve out a long-term spot on the team, role players will need to prove their undeniable value to the rotation almost nightly.
Williams has not quite accomplished that this year, but he's shown exactly why Oklahoma City brought him in in the first place.
His 21-point explosion on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies was just his most salient performance.
He's quietly been hyper-effective all season in his limited minutes. His averages at face value are not immediately impressive. Over his last 10 games, he's averaging just six points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 40.9% from 3-point range. He's scored in single digits in 14 of the 19 games he's played this season.
Yet when scaled to larger minutes, his value is suddenly revealed. Per 36 minutes on the court, Williams is averaging 15.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Despite his limited role, he's sixth on the team in true shooting and third in offensive rating.
Will this be enough to prevent his departure this offseason?
Over the past six seasons, Williams has become a highly important veteran presence for the team.
However, the Thunder will owe a combined $123 million to their star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams starting next season. With Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams likely remaining under contract next season, Williams will simply not have a path to extended playing time.
Kenrich Williams is certainly valuable to the rotation, but his production is replaceable on the open market.
Therefore, as unfortunate as it is, Williams' performance this season will likely not be enough to prevent the inevitable.