Thunder, Jalen Williams Agree To Five-Year Max Extension That Could Exceed $280 Million

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to lock in the core of their championship roster, reaching agreement on a five-year maximum rookie scale extension with All-Star forward Jalen Williams, agents Bill Duffy and Justin Haynes told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The new deal, which begins in 2026–27, is fully guaranteed and doesn’t include a player or team option, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko. Based on current salary cap projections, the extension is worth at least $240 million over five years, and possibly as much as $287 million if Williams qualifies for the Rose Rule.

The 24-year-old earned All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors last season, making him eligible for a starting salary of 30% of the cap — up from the standard 25% — if he repeats one of those accomplishments in 2025–26.

Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals across 69 games, shooting 48.4% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. He remained a steady force throughout the Thunder’s title run, even while playing through a torn ligament in his right wrist.

He later revealed he had been battling a sprain for much of the season and suffered the more serious injury on April 9 before undergoing surgery this summer.

The extension solidifies Williams as a foundational piece in Oklahoma City, alongside MVP guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and big man Chet Holmgren, both of whom also received max extensions this offseason.

Gilgeous-Alexander officially signed his super-max deal Tuesday, while Holmgren finalized his own five-year, $240 million extension earlier this week.

For a franchise that just captured its first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City, the Thunder are sending a clear message. Basically, their young core isn’t going anywhere.