$240 Million Star Jalen Williams Claps Back at NBA Fan Over ‘Overpaid’ Comment

Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams responded to a fan criticizing him on social media.

$240 Million Star Jalen Williams Claps Back at NBA Fan Over ‘Overpaid’ Comment

Jalen Williams (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Jalen Williams signed a five-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder worth up to $287 million.
  • He has struggled with injuries this season, averaging 17.5 points in just 26 appearances.
  • Williams defended his contract value on social media, citing his contributions to the team's success and individual accolades.

It has been a difficult 2025-26 campaign for Jalen Williams. During the offseason, he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist and did not make his season debut till the end of November. Two weeks after his surgery, Williams signed a five-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder that could be worth $287 million.

Drafted by the Thunder as the 12th pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Jalen Williams has shown steady growth with every passing season. He finished second to Paolo Banchero in 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year voting. The 24-year-old can guard multiple positions and is a proven scorer. Last season, he averaged a career-high 21.6 points per game in the regular season and was one of the best two-way players in the league.

His performances have earned him comparisons to Scottie Pippen. Just like Pippen played a secondary role to Michael Jordan, the same could be said for Williams, who plays an instrumental role in getting the best out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Williams was the Thunder’s second-best player on their way to the team’s first-ever NBA championship. In his third season, he earned an All-Defensive team selection, his maiden All-Star selection, and was his team’s second-best scorer during the playoff run. 

However, this season, JDub has struggled to play regularly due to injuries. He has been limited to just 26 appearances this campaign and is currently averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

After a record-breaking start to the season, the Thunder have faltered a bit since the turn of the year. While they remain favorites to win it all once again, fans have questioned whether Williams’ $287 million contract is worth it. The 2025 NBA All-Star did not hold himself back when responding to a fan who accused him of being overpaid on social media.

Well actually I got paid bc 3/4 years I’ve been on the team we been first in the NBA, I was all NBA and all defensive and allstar last year, tore my shooting wrist off the bone and helped win the city first chip, so that’s where that 247 mil comes into play, the other 20 mil comes from being a lottery pick.

This is not the first time Williams has been involved in engaging with fans on social media, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Jalen Williams will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break

The Thunder are a bit short-handed at the moment. They are coming off a disappointing 110-93 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Paycom Center on February 12. Unfortunately for the defending champions, they were without the services of their two best players – SGA and Williams.

SGA continues to be at the top of MVP standings but has missed the last five games due to injury. Williams made his comeback from injury against the Los Angeles Lakers and led them to victory on February 9. However, in the midst of his season-best performance against the Phoenix Suns on February 11, Williams aggravated his hamstring strain and was ruled out against the Bucks.

Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams (Image credits – Kare11)

During the game against the Suns, Williams had recorded 28 points, four rebounds and five assists in just 20 minutes of action. He made 11 of his 12 shots and was unconscious in his best stretch of basketball this season. But it looks like he will miss some more action after suffering another setback.

With SGA ruled out, it was a good chance for Williams to find his offensive rhythm as the season progresses and the playoffs approach.

Nikola Topic makes his emotional OKC Thunder debut

The Thunder may have lost their 14th game of the season and their sixth game at home against the Bucks, but the Thunder fans were treated to some good news on Thursday night. The Paycom Center erupted in an emotional roar as Thunder guard Nikola Topic finally made his long-awaited NBA debut.

Drafted by the Thunder as the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Topic has suffered two huge setbacks in his young NBA career. After missing his entire first season with a torn ACL, Topic was diagnosed with cancer this past October.

Following multiple rounds of chemotherapy and months of recovery, he checked into the game against the Bucks late in the first quarter to a standing ovation from fans and players alike. Early in the second quarter, he hit a mid-range jumper for his first official NBA points.

It is a joyous moment for the club and the player after a long battle with cancer. The result may not have gone their way, but having Topic back in the squad will be a significant boost to the team’s morale heading forward.

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