Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams most likely played his last game of the 2026-27 season, as his devastating ankle injury changes the team's outlook. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault's sobering message after Williams' gruesome injury, that Oklahoma City is “not doing great,” is a transparent reflection of how emotional the players are in dealing with such unfortunate circumstances. However, GM Sam Presti will consider what's best for his team's foreseeable future.

If the Thunder replace Williams via trade, the front office could use a disabled player exception for their starting forward, as ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted, per The Hoop Collective.

“They can apply for a disabled player exception, which they will certainly get. They will get, I believe, the full mid-level exception, which is like $14-ish million that they can use to sign a player or trade for a player,” Windhorst said. “They can only trade for a player with that exception who's got one year left on his contract. They're a very expensive roster. That's one of the reasons why they made those trades.

“So, I cannot see them leaning into that. They're already deep, and they're very expensive. So, I think it's unlikely they take advantage of that, but there is a mechanism that exists.”

Jalen Williams missed 49 Thunder regular-season games due to injury last season. Thunder wings Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell filled in often for Oklahoma City. Daigneault will likely follow a similar route this season, given Wallace's recent five-year, $139 million extension.

However, the Thunder could make a move ahead of this year's trade deadline to help fill a void in Jalen Williams' absence. One potential trade suitor to consider would be the team Oklahoma City just faced; the LA Clippers.

After losing five future first-round picks in the wake of the NBA suspending owner Steve Ballmer for the Clippers' involvement in the Kawhi Leonard cap circumvention scandal, LA could replenish those picks in a move with the Thunder in exchange for draft capital. A full mid-level trade exception for an expiring deal for a forward like Derrick Jones Jr. is an intriguing possibility for Oklahoma City.

Article Continues Below

The 11-year athletic veteran would stretch the floor for the Thunder and can help defend the wing position. Jones Jr. averaged 10.1 points on 49.9% shooting, including 35.9% from deep, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Clippers last season. He's entering the final season of his three-year deal, which is worth $10.4 million.

Rui Hachimura is another option for the Thunder. He averaged 11.5 points on 51.4/44.3/69.4 shooting splits for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Amid the final year of his contract, Hachimura is making $14 million this season. Although Rui is most-efficient out of the two Clippers forwards, Jones Jr.'s upside would be on the defensive end of the floor, while both are threats beyond the 3-point arc.

Thunder GM Sam Presti will address the media ahead of Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. While he will provide an update on Williams' injury, Oklahoma City will most likely turn to its players to step up for its starting forward before making any trades. Thunder rookie Bennett Stirtz could also see more playing time, especially after Wallace suffered a shoulder injury in the first half against the Clippers on Sunday.