OKC Locking Big 3 with $822 Million Contracts Shocks NBA Fans: “Y’all Ain’t Winning Again”

OKC won their 1st-ever NBA title on the back of their team-first approach, and now want to hold on to that philosophy for as long as possible.

OKC Locking Big 3 with $822 Million Contracts Shocks NBA Fans: “Y’all Ain’t Winning Again”

OKC hand $822 million to its Big 3 (Image via FirstSportz)

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After winning their first ever NBA title, the Oklahoma City Thunder knew they had to reinforce the team if they are to defend their crown. One of the first order’s of business OKC did was to lock up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and now Jalen Williams to massive long-term contracts.

First was to ensure their league MVP and Finals MVP received a contract extension he fully deserved. OKC handed him a four-year, $285 million super max extension that would make him, for a brief instance, the highest-paid player in the league.

Next, they awarded their center with a five-year rookie extension that could reach $250 million. This move baffled many as they felt he had not done enough to earn a $50 million a year salary. In fact, fans pointed out that they could have held off from handing him that much.

Then came another news earlier at the hands of ESPN’s lead NBA Insider, Shams Charania. He revealed that OKC has rewarded Jalen Williams with a 5-year rookie maximum extension that could reach $287 million.

That means, OKC’s Big 3 will now earn a combined $822 million if they achieve all the clauses in their respective contracts. In the event they do, this combination could become the most expensive trio in the NBA.

By tying them up, OKC are assuring the future of these three. They are the fulcrum of the team and the Thunder seem to be signaling that future teams will be built around these three. However, the outlay has ended up shocking fans.

Fans shake their heads at OKC’s $822 million gamble

As recently as last season, basketball fans have witnessed how the 2024 champion Boston Celtics paid two of their most important stars super max deals. They then surrounded those two forwards with other All-Star caliber players, who also commanded a good penny.

Now after Jayson Tatum‘s injury, they realized they have to cut back, and hence, shipped out two of those starters so that they could duck under the dreaded second Apron. Fans believe OKC should have observed the very team they succeeded as champions.

Paying players over the odds has not always ended up with championships. Especially when the outlay is this much, fans believe the Oklahoma City Thunder will soon learn how difficult it is to manage these massive contracts. Check out examples of those reactions below:

In the event all three manage to stay healthy and improve year-by-year, OKC might believe their investment in them was justified. However, they will have to tackle the second apron, and building a team of complementary players around them will become difficult as the years go by.

OKC flirting with NBA Salary Cap

The bulk of these three extensions kicks in from the 2027-28 season. Going by the current expected growth rate of the NBA’s Salary Cap, it will be round about $173 million. In that season alone, the combined salary of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams will be $150.4 million.

OKC looking to continue with existing players
OKC looking to continue with existing players (Image via Overtime/X)

At nearly 86% of OKC’s standard salary cap, it will force the team to continue to pay luxury tax, if they are to bring in players who can contribute to their winning culture. Isaiah Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort are also up for extensions. It is unclear how the team will manage all this without breaking the second Apron.

The Thunder do have an advantage in the form of their war chest of draft picks. The second Apron restricts trades, and some free agent signings. GM Sam Presti can offset that with his draft picks and continue to reinforce the team with prospects who can help them win.

The logic behind it is intelligent. However, this works only if all those three stars stay healthy, and the team continues to improve in a league where everyone wants a shot at their throne. Their rivals are building teams to overthrow them, and maybe OKC thinks this is the best way to defend their crown.

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