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The Oklahoma City Thunder have an incredible young core, but that doesn't mean change won't eventually arrive.
The players who aren't yet expensive will soon enough be very pricy, and that could lead to change.
In a new article on Tuesday, ESPN's Ben Golliver has a radical idea: He suggests that the Thunder should trade Jalen Williams this offseason.
The talented wing from Santa Clara is OKC's second-best scoring threat behind just Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If they traded him, it'd be a total shock.
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Golliver pitches the idea of Oklahoma City sending Williams to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for three first-round picks (2027, 2029, 2031) along with Michael Porter Jr.
He then writes that OKC would move Porter along to a different destination in an ensuing deal.
The point would be to save space against future salary caps.
"The last thing Oklahoma City wants to think about during its ongoing title push is blowing up its phenomenal young core, but the 2025 champs will be facing some difficult financial choices come July," Golliver writes. "This season, Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren combined to make $58.6 million. Next season, that number will explode to $123.8 million due to lucrative rookie extensions for Holmgren and Williams. Unless they cut significant salary, the small-market Thunder will be at risk of entering the NBA's dreaded second apron."
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The Thunder have a lot of depth, including the emerging Ajay Mitchell, that could offset the loss of Williams.
The Nets would certainly love to get a star player like Williams.
And hey, the Thunder wouldn't have confusion anymore by also having Jaylin Williams on the roster.
It'd be bold, but it's a fascinating thought.
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