Imagine losing millions of dollars because of a quirky rule! That's the unfortunate situation Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder finds himself in. But here's where it gets controversial...
Williams, a star forward, has been recovering from wrist surgery and has missed the first 18 games of the season. While his physical recovery is on track, the financial implications are a different story. You see, due to a unique NBA rule, Williams could have earned up to $47 million more if he had played just a few more games.
Let's break it down. Williams, a former first-round pick, signed a contract extension during the offseason. Typically, players with six or fewer years of experience can sign contracts starting at 25% of the salary cap. Williams' deal guaranteed him a projected $240 million over five years. However, there's a twist - the Derrick Rose Rule.
This rule allows exceptionally productive young players to earn up to 30% of the salary cap if they meet certain criteria. Williams' contract included performance-based escalators, which meant that if he achieved specific milestones, his salary would increase. For example, an All-NBA selection or a Defensive Player of the Year award would bump his contract up to 30% of the cap, resulting in an additional $47 million.
And this is the part most people miss - Williams signed a contract with similar terms to Evan Mobley, who used the Derrick Rose Rule to his advantage. Mobley's contract included escalators, and when he won the Defensive Player of the Year award, his salary increased significantly. Williams' contract had a similar structure, but with a crucial catch.
Williams' contract included a provision that his salary would increase if he made the All-NBA team this season. However, due to missing 18 games, he is now ineligible for any major individual honors, including MVP and All-NBA. This means he won't receive the contractual escalators he was hoping for.
So, why does this rule exist? It's likely an extension of the Designated Veteran rule, also known as the 'supermax' rule. This rule allows players with more experience to jump from 30% to 35% of the cap if they meet certain criteria. For younger players like Williams, the rule seems unfair, as it expects them to maintain a high level of performance rather than allowing for growth and improvement.
The order of events matters here. Williams proved his All-NBA caliber last season, but the rule requires him to do it again this season for the salary bump. It's a catch-22 situation, and it's not just unfair to Williams; it's unfortunate for the entire league.
The Thunder is about to become an expensive team, with Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all starting max contracts soon. The rest of the league would prefer this core to be as costly as possible, putting pressure on the Thunder's roster management. Williams' injury and subsequent loss of millions highlight the flaws in this rule.
What's even more frustrating is that Williams can't earn back the lost money with future All-NBA performances. It's a one-shot deal, and he missed his chance. This scenario is similar to what Jayson Tatum experienced, where a single 'down' season cost him millions. The Celtics benefited from Tatum's unlucky sequence of events, and now the Thunder might too.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) won't be revisited until after the 2028-29 season, so immediate changes are unlikely. However, when the time comes, this rule should be reconsidered. Players like Williams and Tatum should be rewarded for their exceptional talent, and the current system seems to be failing them.
There are potential compromises that could be made to address this issue. For example, adjusting the timing of eligibility or allowing for stacked boosts based on multiple All-NBA selections during the contract period. The point of these max contracts is to reward the best players, and Jalen Williams certainly fits that bill. Let's hope the NBA finds a fair solution soon!
