• Have a team option of $ 2,187,699

While the days of him a regular starting batsman ends with Holmgren’s return to health, the other J-Will has done a good job over the past two years. This past season he has On average 5.9 points5.6 Rebounds and 2.6 Assets in 16.7 minutes per game off the bench, to go with 0.6 blocks, a mere 0.7 turnover and 39.9 percent three-point shooting at a three-point rate of .692. That’s about as much as anyone would expect within 16.7 minutes per game.

As a backup center that can stretch the floor on the offensive point and protect the paint on the other side, Williams fits the prototype with a tea. His skill level is high, his size sufficient, and over time he may become something like Isaiah Hartenstein before him. Williams may not have the German’s size and physical tools, but he has enough to be a good NBA player on his own. He is not in the play -off rotation, but he is good enough to be.

In all likelihood, the Thunder Williams’ team option for the minimum salary will exercise. It is a bargain price for its production, they will not do better in the salary slot, and they will be able to extend the agreement via the new CBA’s more liberalized expansion rules.

An expansion for Williams would still be classified as a ‘veteran expansion’, as described above with regard to Lu Dort, and although the 140 percent starting salary would not be sufficient, as Williams is currently earning the minimum, extensions can also begin 140 percent of the NBA’s estimated average salary, if the amount is higher than a player than the 140 percent. (NB: That’s how Caruso could Draw his extension in December.) Since it would amount to about $ 20 million, it is much more than enough to be sufficient here.

The other Avenue available to the Thunder is to refuse Williams’ team option, a strategy with one advantage. As a three -year veteran, the Thunder Williams can make to a limited free agent this summer if they refuse the option, in a way they cannot do under any circumstances.

It probably won’t happen-The Thunder has enough work to do elsewhere, as above, and it will be contradictory to any team that strikes the jackpot with such a team-friendly deal to end it prematurely and pay a player who does not yet need to pay. If they don’t play him, they don’t have to pay him. But if they see more upside down in Williams’ future, can’t convince him to sign an expansion and feel that he wants to leave next summer in anticipation of a starting point, the possibility exists.