The Oklahoma City Thunder signed star forward Jalen Williams to a five-year, maximum rookie contract extension on Thursday afternoon that can reach up to $287 million. The deal ties the 24-year-old to the reigning NBA champions through the 2030-31 season.
The move—executed by general manager Sam Presti, the 2025 NBA Executive of the Year—keeps the Thunder's core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Williams together for the foreseeable future. Both SGA and Holmgren agreed to lucrative extensions with the club this offseason as well.
Shelling out bundles of cash, of course, comes with potential salary cap repercussions and—as OKC inches towards the dreaded second apron—fans all had a similar reaction to the move across X (formerly Twitter):
The 2nd Apron seeing this: pic.twitter.com/hTSIEHRclX
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) July 10, 2025
OKC Next https://t.co/iltqruXQz2 pic.twitter.com/t6wLLhv9R6
— Dr. Big Bird 🐥 (@WhereIs_A_A_RON) July 10, 2025
https://t.co/uZyu1KeeFa pic.twitter.com/OMWTGDNPhM
— 𝒟 ☆ (@Skol_Era) July 10, 2025
The second apron hit will knock out the Thunder in one shot
— Zarnuvo (@voidmaverick) July 10, 2025
That second apron is creeping up like a mf
— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) July 10, 2025
CBA coming to collect soon don’t sleep OKC pic.twitter.com/C2kKnaGbDF
— ethan 🇳🇬 (@avidcelticsfan) July 10, 2025
2nd apron FC don’t run from us @okcthunder pic.twitter.com/JasParGPco
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) July 10, 2025
Thunder bank account https://t.co/9IjCqWWHEv pic.twitter.com/I67VVxnT2p
— Brendan 🏀 (@threezustrist) July 10, 2025
Has anyone said second apron yet 🙄 https://t.co/2ldvDK4skX
— Josh Lloyd (@redrock_bball) July 10, 2025
Williams, 24, was named an All-Star in 2025 for the first time in his career and earned both All-NBA Third Team and All-NBA Defensive Second team honors. He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.