OKC Secures ‘Big 3’, Keeps Williams with Five-Year Rookie Max Extension

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed the last piece to their squad’s “Big Three” after rewarding Jalen Williams with a five-year, $287 million rookie maximum extension.

After playing a vital role in the franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship campaign, the hybrid forward joined Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren as the only players in Oklahoma to receive maximum contract extensions this off-season.

It was a no-brainer for OKC General Manager Sam Presti to finalize the deal after Williams’ stellar performance during the team’s playoff run. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

During the must-win Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Williams shot the lights out and steered Oklahoma to a win, dropping 40 points, six rebounds, and four dimes.

The Sta. Clara product went unconscious from the field, sinking 14 out of his 25 attempts from the shooting field that put the Thunder up with a 3-2 series advantage.

Williams only chipped in 16 during their Game 6 loss, but made it up during the win-or-go-home Game 7 when he backstopped SGA with an all-around outing of 20 markers, four boards, four dimes, and two crucial steals.

After a busy week, Oklahoma made it known that they are fully committed to their core of Williams, SGA, and Holmgren who will be with the franchise until the summer of 2030.

The Thunder first gifted their main man, SGA, with a lucrative offer good for four years, a $285 million supermax contract.

Holmgren was the next star to receive the notification from the front office and received the same deal as Williams via the rookie max extension policy.