Jalen Williams signs five-year rookie max extension with Thunder

Jalen Williams signs five-year rookie max extension with Thunder

First, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; next, Chet Holmgren; now, Jalen Williams.

Over the last week, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been busy locking their own into long-term extensions. The latest, Williams, signed a five-year rookie max extension on Thursday that can be worth up to $287 million, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was among the first to report.

Breaking: Oklahoma City Thunder All-NBA star and champion Jalen Williams has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $287 million, agents Bill Duffy and Justin Haynes of WME Basketball told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/3lwASY42iT

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2025

Charania hinted Wednesday that the two sides were trying to get a deal done.

“But big picture, the Thunder will be entering the 2025-26 season as a non-luxury tax team for the third straight season,” Charania said Wednesday (h/t RealGM). “It’s very unique in today’s NBA to be competing for a championship year in and year out. But it goes to the fact that they have this young core that is just now entering this max extension era for them. They have a bunch of role players locked up on long-term deals. But again, bigger picture: starting that 2026-27 season, this is a team that’s projected to begin entering the first and second apron.”

As I mentioned with Devin Booker‘s extension here, Williams’ number assumes the cap will increase by 10 percent each of the next three seasons after 2026-27. After this upcoming season, there will only be a ~7 percent cap increase lower than the original projected number, which could affect the total dollars that Williams can make if there’s more decrease.

Currently, he’s on the books to make $239 million, but could be eligible for $287 million courtesy of the Rose Rule; thus, if he makes All-NBA, wins MVP or wins Defensive Player of the Year, he’ll unlock the latter.

The CBA Monster Is Coming For The Oklahoma City Thunder

Williams made third-team All-NBA last season for the reigning champion Thunder, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. His percentages dipped to 48.4/36.5/78.9 shooting splits, but he remained incredibly impactful and dynamic in his role. He’s continuously shown he’s more than capable of sizing up or down.

Listed at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Williams is an exceptional shot-maker, fluid driver, sturdy defender and a strong connective playmaker. The Thunder don’t win the title without him, especially after his 40-point performance in Game 5.

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