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The OKC Thunder has declined its $7.2 million team option on Kenrich Williams for the upcoming NBA season, making him an unrestricted free agent. NBA insider Chris Haynes first reported the news.
Monday marked the deadline for decisions on team and player options around the NBA. Teams may then begin negotiating contracts with upcoming free agents at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday. Deals can be signed at 11:01 a.m. on Monday, July 6.
Williams joined OKC in 2020 after spending the first two years of his career with New Orleans. He has since become one of the most respected voices in its locker room and a reliable contributor whenever his number gets called, even if that isn't every night. Williams averaged 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes last season.
OKC reduced its luxury tax bill by $49.9 million by declining its option on Williams. It also saved $165 million by trading away Aaron Wiggins (Atlanta) and Isaiah Joe (Detroit) last week for two second-round picks apiece.
OKC could still bring Williams back, but even signing him to a veteran-minimum contract of $3.5 million would add $16.6 million to its tax bill. If the Thunder doesn't do that, it'll have one open spot on its 15-man roster.
OKC picked up its $17.7 million team option on Lu Dort and re-signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $75 million contract this offseason. It also selected Michigan's Aday Mara and Iowa's Bennett Stirtz with the No. 12 pick and the No. 16 pick, respectively, in the 2026 NBA Draft.
REQUIRED READING: Will OKC Thunder bring back Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams? Examining team options
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder declines Kenrich Williams' team option for 2026-27 season
Continue reading...
Monday marked the deadline for decisions on team and player options around the NBA. Teams may then begin negotiating contracts with upcoming free agents at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday. Deals can be signed at 11:01 a.m. on Monday, July 6.
Williams joined OKC in 2020 after spending the first two years of his career with New Orleans. He has since become one of the most respected voices in its locker room and a reliable contributor whenever his number gets called, even if that isn't every night. Williams averaged 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes last season.
OKC reduced its luxury tax bill by $49.9 million by declining its option on Williams. It also saved $165 million by trading away Aaron Wiggins (Atlanta) and Isaiah Joe (Detroit) last week for two second-round picks apiece.
OKC could still bring Williams back, but even signing him to a veteran-minimum contract of $3.5 million would add $16.6 million to its tax bill. If the Thunder doesn't do that, it'll have one open spot on its 15-man roster.
OKC picked up its $17.7 million team option on Lu Dort and re-signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $75 million contract this offseason. It also selected Michigan's Aday Mara and Iowa's Bennett Stirtz with the No. 12 pick and the No. 16 pick, respectively, in the 2026 NBA Draft.
REQUIRED READING: Will OKC Thunder bring back Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams? Examining team options
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder declines Kenrich Williams' team option for 2026-27 season
Continue reading...
