OKC Thunder extend Nikola Jokic stopper on $28M deal to retain stellar big man depth

The OKC Thunder have extended forward Jaylin Williams on a three-year, $24 million contract, Shams Charania reported Saturday. OKC declined Williams’ $2.1 million team option and negotiated a new contract with his agents, fairly compensating him for his part in the team's championship run.

He made 47 appearances for the Thunder in 2024-25, averaging 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Williams’ most memorable moments from last season came during the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.

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While he only averaged 3.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists against the Nuggets, fans appreciated Williams for his solid defense against Nikola Jokic. The former MVP went 5-for-18 from the field when guarded by Williams through the first five games of the Western Conference semifinals.

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Jaylin Williams Stepped Up for the OKC Thunder in Holmgren’s Absence

The OKC Thunder faced a major challenge in the 2024-25 season when Chet Holmgren went down with a right iliac wing fracture, sidelining him for 39 games from November 11 to February 6.

In Holmgren’s absence, the Thunder relied on Isaiah Hartenstein to fill in at the five. The team occasionally called on Jaylin Williams, and the 2022 second-round pick did not disappoint.

Williams started nine games for OKC in 2025, averaging 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists.

He recorded a triple-double in three of his nine starts, a rare feat for a backup center. Here’s a closer look at his performance in those games:

10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists vs. Portland Trail Blazers (March 7)
19 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists vs. Philadelphia 76ers (March 19)
15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Utah Jazz (April 11)

Williams showcases a profound understanding of his role on the Thunder and is always willing to do the dirty work. While others on the team put up better numbers, OKC might not have won the 2025 NBA Finals without him.

From being picked in the second round of the 2022 draft to now being an NBA Champion, Jaylin Williams' journey has been remarkable. With his new three-year, $28 million deal in place, this is surely just the start for the 23-year-old.

About the author

Sameer is an esports and gaming journalist at Sportskeeda who covers a diverse range of topics. He is currently pursuing a BSc degree from BITS, but his love for video games pushed him to pursue a gaming journalism career. He relies on diligent research and fact-checking to deliver top-notch content. He has previously worked in the hospitality sector with the Oberoi Group.

Sameer’s gaming journey began with Rockstar Games’ GTA franchise, specifically
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. He strongly prefers multiplayer games, with FPS being his favorite genre, and has devoted 6K+ hours to CS:GO! However, he also dabbles in open-world, story-based games from time to time. Solo RPGs like Horizon Forbidden West hold a soft spot in his heart, and he would readily drop in it given a Jumanji-type scenario.

Sameer makes sure to follow Counter-Strike and Valorant esports tournaments, as he believes that watching a game being played at the highest level can be highly educational. He derives inspiration from Tarik's meteoric rise to become one of the biggest FPS streamers in the world following the release of Valorant.

Outside of work, you can find Sameer playing football or cheering for FC Barcelona. He also likes to read and write poetry.

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Edited by Victor R. Lopez M.