
via Imago
Nov 20, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) moves the ball against Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

via Imago
Nov 20, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) moves the ball against Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Jalen Williams isn’t just smiling for the cameras; he’s smiling because his NBA stock just skyrocketed. With his first All-NBA selection, an All-Star debut, and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team, the OKC Thunder forward has officially arrived. And the timing? Couldn’t be better. Williams is still on a rookie deal, but that’s about to change fast. Drafted 12th overall in 2022, he’s now eligible for a massive five-year extension that could reach up to $296 million, depending on future accolades. From a humble beginning to the brink of NBA superstardom, Williams’ rise is about more than just buckets; it’s about building generational wealth. So what does this All-NBA leap really mean for his bank account? Let’s break it all down.
Jalen Williams’s Contract with the OKC Thunders
The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Jalen Williams with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, locking him into a four-year, $20.26 million fully guaranteed rookie-scale contract. The deal averages roughly $5.06 million per year and runs through the 2025–26 season, with a team option on the final year. So far, he’s earned around $8.9 million, and he’s set to pocket $4.78 million in the 2024–25 season before that number jumps to $6.58 million in 2025–26.
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Statistically, Williams has outplayed the value of his contract by a mile. He averaged 21.6 points per game this season, second only to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in OKC, while finishing with All-NBA, All-Star, and All-Defensive team honors. That performance didn’t just elevate his game; it inflated his future market value.
And here’s the kicker: his All-NBA selection doesn’t trigger a bonus yet, but it does set him up for a supermax-like rookie extension. Williams becomes eligible this offseason for a five-year, $246 million extension; which could increase to $296 million if he repeats All-NBA status or earns MVP/Defensive Player of the Year honors over the next two seasons. Safe to say, OKC’s window to lock him in is wide open; but it won’t be cheap.

via Imago
Nov 20, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) moves the ball against Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Statistically, Williams has outplayed the value of his contract by a mile. He averaged 21.6 points per game this season, second only to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in OKC, while finishing with All-NBA, All-Star, and All-Defensive team honors. That performance didn’t just elevate his game; it inflated his future market value.
And here’s the kicker: his All-NBA selection doesn’t trigger a bonus yet, but it does set him up for a supermax-like rookie extension. Williams becomes eligible this offseason for a five-year, $246 million extension; which could increase to $296 million if he repeats All-NBA status or earns MVP/Defensive Player of the Year honors over the next two seasons. Safe to say, OKC’s window to lock him in is wide open; but it won’t be cheap.
What’s your perspective on:
Does Jalen Williams' success story inspire you, or is it just another NBA rags-to-riches tale?
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What is Jalen Williams’s salary for the 2025 season?
For the 2025 NBA season, Jalen Williams is set to earn $6,580,997, marking the highest single-season paycheck of his young career so far. It’s a noticeable jump from his 2024 salary of $4,775,760, reflecting a $1.8 million increase year-over-year. This raise comes as part of the club-exercised team option in the final year of his rookie-scale deal, a contract that has turned out to be a complete steal for the Thunder.
Williams has already outperformed the modest numbers on this deal, especially after a breakout season that saw him land All-NBA Third Team, All-Defensive Second Team, and his first All-Star selection. Given his current trajectory, his next contract could look drastically different.
Unless extended before next summer, Williams will become a restricted free agent in 2026, giving OKC one final season to enjoy elite production on a discount deal. That said, he’s now eligible for a rookie max extension; five years, up to $246 million, or $296 million if he hits more award milestones. And if his current performance holds? That extension may just be a formality.
Jalen Williams’s Career Earnings
Since entering the NBA in 2022, Jalen Williams has earned an estimated $13,881,908 in salary alone. Drafted 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, he signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $20.26 million; a deal that now looks like one of the best-value contracts in the league.
In his rookie season (2022–23), Williams made $4.34 million. The following year, he took home $4.56 million, and in 2024, his earnings rose to $4.78 million, along with a bonus payout of just over $205K after winning All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors. For the 2025 season, he’s slated to earn $6.58 million, pushing his cumulative earnings to over $20.46 million by the end of that year.
What makes these numbers stand out is how much value OKC has extracted from him relative to the money spent. A two-way star still on a rookie deal is a rare luxury—and one that won’t last much longer. With a potential $246 million extension looming, Jalen Williams is on the brink of financial superstardom. If the Thunder don’t lock him in soon, they’ll be paying a much heftier price later.
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Does Jalen Williams' success story inspire you, or is it just another NBA rags-to-riches tale?