Thunder rumors: Brian Windhorst hints at ‘$14-ish million’ trade chip on way after Jalen Williams injury

With Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams suffering a significant injury in the 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, there's no denying major concern for the guard after last season's myriad of issues. As the Thunder deal with Williams' devastating injury, NBA insider Brian Windhorst pontificates over what the team will do next with the injury.

Williams has been key to Oklahoma City's recent success, as he was a big part in helping the team win an NBA championship in 2025, but last season was frustrating, missing a chunk of the season with wrist surgery and hamstring injuries. With the lower-leg injury that Williams has suffered, Windhorst spoke on “The Hoop Collective” about how the Thunder are going to “apply for a disabled player exception,” as the insider predicts that the team “will certainly get.”

“They will get, I believe, the full mid-level exception that they can use up to the mid-level exception, which is like $14-ish million that they can use to sign a player or trade for a player. They can only trade for a player with that exception who's got one year left on his contract,” Windhorst said Monday.

“They're a very expensive roster,” Windhorst continued. “That's one of the reasons why they made those trades…So I think it's unlikely they take advantage of that, but there is a mechanism that exists.”

More on the Thunder without Jalen Williams and how they'll manage

While Williams is basically an irreplaceable player for the Thunder, the team will look for ways for the absence to not be too noticeable, as Windhorst labels Ajay Mitchell as an “important piece right now” after the situation.

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“It comes into play for sure, but this means Ajay Mitchell will have to have a big season, and now Cason Wallace, who was just rewarded with a huge contract, those guys will be needed,” Windhorst said. “There's probably no team that could withstand an injury like this other than the Thunder.”

At any rate, Oklahoma City awaits a full diagnosis on Williams as the next game is on Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.