The Oklahoma City Thunder have been aggressive in retaining their core this offseason following their incredible championship run. They signed NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a four-year, $285 million extension, and signed center Chet Holmgren to a fully guaranteed five-year extension that could reach $250 million. Now, Jalen Williams has been paid.
Williams has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie extension that could reach $287 million, his agents told ESPN. This OKC “big three” is now locked in with the Thunder for multiple years and could account for as much as $822 million on the payroll.
In his third NBA season, Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. The former No. 12 overall pick out of Santa Clara earned his first All-Star appearance, and he was named All-NBA Third Team and NBA All-Defensive Second Team as well. Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander became the fourth All-NBA duo under 27 years old to win a title, the last being Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.
Williams became just the second player to ever win a title in his age-23 or younger season while averaging 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, joining the great Kobe Bryant, who accomplished this twice.
