Jalen Williams injury news solves major Thunder problem

Jalen Williams Injury Makes Trade More Likely

The Thunder are below the second apron this season, but next season, they are projected to be far above it, which means the team’s owners will have to pay hundreds of millions in luxury tax penalties, not to mention potentially having draft picks frozen and having to deal with several other issues that limit potential trade opportunities.

That’s why the Thunder will have to decide which of their three max contracts to trade, with Williams due $44.8 million next season, Chet Holmgren at $44.8 million, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at $61 million.

Obviously, Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time NBA MVP, isn’t going anywhere. Holmgren, who struggled in last year’s playoffs, isn’t a 100% lock to stay with the team, but given how difficult it is to find an elite big in the league, he’ll probably stay.

Williams, though, is the odd man out.

The Thunder simply cannot afford to have three max deals on their books. It’s something no NBA front office is doing right now, given the realities of the second apron’s punitive punishments, and Oklahoma City’s management group is too smart to take the risk.

Unfortunately for Williams, the fact that he played only 33 games last year and just 3 this year means he’ll likely be the odd man out.

Yes, he’s a big part of the Thunder’s locker room, and no one wants to see him go.

But the Thunder were going to have to decide between Holmgren and Williams, and Williams’ injury makes for a convenient reason for him to be the odd man out.

Where Could Jalen Williams Be Traded?

Despite having roughly $200 million left on his contract for the next four seasons after this one and given his injury history, the Thunder should still have no problem trading Williams.

After all, when he’s healthy, he’s an All-NBA-caliber player and a winner, having won an NBA Championship in Oklahoma City in 2025.

Therefore, the Thunder should have no problem trading him for salary cap relief next summer and even getting positive trade value in return for him despite his recent injuries.

The Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Clippers, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte Hornets are all projected to be under the luxury tax line next year, so any of these teams could fit in Williams’ $44.8 million salary next season.

Most of these teams listed above are rebuilding squads, so they’ll all have premium draft picks to offer the Thunder in return for Williams, and I can see it happening because Williams would likely be better than any player any of these teams drafted.

All of these teams could also send the Thunder a player or two to make the cap work, but it would essentially be a cap dump by Oklahoma City if and when they let go of Williams.

As great a player as Williams is, his injury made the Thunder’s decision of who to trade next summer an easy one for Presti and Co., and so his time with Oklahoma City will likely come to an end once this season is over.