The Oklahoma City Thunder just had their best season ever and are now NBA champions.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be the team’s biggest star, he’s not the only reason their success was possible.
Jalen Williams had an incredible season, and he will be paid handsomely for it.
Zach Lowe recently dug into the numbers of Williams’ new contract and found that he will get big bonuses if he does better and is recognized by the league.
“It has the escalators for All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP stuff. These people told me how these escalators would work… 3rd-Team All-NBA, you bump up from 25% to 26%. 2nd-Team All-NBA, you bump up from 25% to 27%. All other things — 1st-Team All-NBA & the major individual awards — the full 30% max,” Lowe reportd, via Clemente Almanza.
Zach Lowe on Jalen Williams’ extension: “It has the escalators for All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP stuff. These people told me how these escalators would work… 3rd-Team All-NBA, you bump up from 25% to 26%. 2nd-Team All-NBA, you bump up from 25% to 27%. All other…
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 22, 2025
“Escalators” like these are fairly common in the NBA, and Williams definitely deserves his.
He finished 2024-25 with an average of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
This was his first season as an All-Star, but it probably won’t be his last.
It’s hard to decide who the team’s second-best player is, but Williams is definitely in the mix for that honor.
In the years ahead, he is going to get even more attention, especially now that the Thunder are champions.
This last season showed that he is more than ready for the scrutiny and expectations that are coming his way.
If he lives up to the hype, Williams might not just earn another championship ring; he will also get a lot more money, too.
Winning is the biggest incentive for him, but these escalators will also help push him forward.
