The Oklahoma City Thunder just won the NBA Finals, but they're not wasting any time getting the roster ready for next season.
Immediately after the finals, the Thunder selected two players in the 2025 NBA Draft: Thomas Sorber and Brooks Barnhizer. Then, on Saturday, the team pulled off a trade, sending 2024 first-round pick Dillon Jones and a future second-rounder to the Washington Wizards for Colby Jones.
Colby Jones was immediately waived after the trade, and the point of the move was just to open up a roster spot to accommodate Sorber.
Then, on Sunday, the team decided to reward Jaylin "JWill" Williams with a contract extension. Williams is a fan-favorite who is an invaluable locker room presence. The Arkansas product has also produced when given playing time, so it was a no-brainer to lock him up.
Per reports, Williams landed a three-year, $24-million deal to remain in Bricktown. The team declined his 2025-26 option before dishing out the extension.
Williams will now make $8 million a year, as opposed to the roughly $2 million he would've made on his prior deal. In this day and age, $8 million annually is a steal for a high-energy role player.
In 2024-25, Williams played in 47 games and averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The former second-round pick shot 43% from the field and 39% from deep.
This was Williams' third season with the Thunder after being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft out of Arkansas. Williams actually got most of his starting experience during his rookie season, where he started in 36 games.
Since then, however, Williams has settled in as a backup big off the bench who can space the floor and energize the team.
While JWill impressed during the 2024-25 season, the Arkansas product took on a lesser role during the playoffs. In the postseason, Williams averaged just 2.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in just over eight minutes per night.
Still, it was easy to notice Williams on the bench during the postseason. Williams was frequently seen hyping up his teammates and the crowd, and it's easy to see why he's so loved in OKC.
With Williams officially coming back for next season, the Thunder still have a full roster.
Barring an unexpected trade, it's hard to imagine much change coming to this roster before next season begins. If anybody is going to get moved, keep an eye on former first-round pick Ousmane Dieng, who has yet to carve out a role with the team.