Thunder GM Sam Presti has been getting out the checkbook as of late, as all of the Big 3 have signed for a combined $822M with the latest being Jalen Williams getting his deal done earlier on Thursday, according to Shams Charania. Williams’ deal was fully guaranteed for a potential worth of $287M.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got the biggest deal in terms of annual salary but finishes second behind Williams in the total contract at $285M. Chet Holmgren on Wednesday got the $250M extension. For these contracts to be valued at $822M per season is a crazy evaluation of the salary cap, but worth it to keep the chemistry going.
Thunder Big 3 Contracts Significance to the Cap
These are historic numbers as this young core primarily the Big 3 of SGA, Chet, and J-Dub that produced a championship this early on are all extended for a long time, but there are some major drawbacks when it comes to the cap space and what the team can do, especially with all of that money tied up to SGA, Holmgren, and J-Dub.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks does a great job explaining the cap situation on a video that ESPN posted on YouTube about the Oklahoma City Thunder situation, but the main point of the video is that the Apron rules won’t impact the Thunder as much because they have the roster already locked down. Which is a huge win in that regard for the defending champions for the next few years.
Final Thoughts
The Oklahoma City Thunder dynasty talks have been gaining traction after winning the championship, and now they have fully been set in motion with these three extensions of their Big 3. It should be exciting to see how this team mentally focuses on the quest to repeat in 2025-26, with the Western Conference getting stronger as a whole as well. This is going to be a fun ride next season in the Wild Wild West! Total Apex Sports has more NBA Offseason coverage throughout the site and will continue to have some great coverage throughout the offseason.
