As the NBA trade deadline draws near, rumors have ramped up. The Oklahoma City Thunder seem likely to make a trade, as they are a team in rebuilding mode that has been intent on acquiring assets for the future since last season ended.
One Thunder name that has been mentioned in potential trades is Kenrich Williams, but a new report says he is probably going to stay in OKC.
Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith tweeted that it is “unlikely” Williams gets traded by the Thunder.
“Opposing teams have the sense that Oklahoma City really likes Williams and intends to keep him beyond this season,” Smith said.
League sources say that it's unlikely Kenrich Williams gets traded. Opposing teams have the sense that Oklahoma City really likes Williams and intends to keep him beyond this season.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 24, 2021
That’s logical. Williams is an excellent defender, good midrange shooter and offensive rebounder, and provides energy than has consistently boosted the Thunder this season.
He’s also on an inexpensive contract. He is only owed $2 million per season through 2022-23.
With that much time on his contract, the Thunder have no obligation to trade him now, especially if they think he can be part of their future.
That negates some ideas being thrown around for a Williams deal, including Zach Lowe’s trade idea on “The Lowe Post” podcast in which the ESPN writer proposed the Phoenix Suns get Williams for guard Jevon Carter and “a couple picks.”
“You haven’t heard of him? He’s playing great as a hybrid forward in Oklahoma City,” Lowe said.
The Thunder know that well, and it sounds like they plan to keep him. Nothing is certain, of course, but based on Smith’s report, they’d have to be blown away.
The trade deadline is at 2 p.m. Central time on Thursday.
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