$5 million for 1 year! Kenrich Williams confirms return to Thunder to assist Alexander in another championship run

On July 3rd, Beijing time, as reported by well-known journalist Haynes, informed league sources stated that unrestricted free agent wing Kenrich Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder have come to terms on a one-year deal worth $5 million to rejoin the team.

Standing at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters), Kenrich Williams plays as a swing forward. Affectionately nicknamed "Kenny Hustle" by fans, he went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft and now boasts eight years of NBA experience, wearing jersey number 34.

During his college years, he first attended New Mexico Junior College before transferring to Texas Christian University (TCU). He led the team to win the 2017 NIT Invitational Championship and was named tournament MVP. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, with his rebounding stats ranking fourth in school history. TCU retired his No. 34 jersey, and he was also selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team.

In 2018, he began his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans as an undrafted free agent, averaging a consistent 6-8 points per game over two seasons. In 2020, he was traded to the Thunder, where he became an indispensable blue-collar veteran for the team. He won an NBA championship with the Thunder in the 2024-25 season, serving as a key rotation player. During the 2026 offseason, he agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Thunder, choosing to remain in Oklahoma City to continue supporting young core players like Alexander.

On the court, he is a quintessential 3-and-D role player, excelling in off-ball movement and consistent spot-up three-point shooting, with his corner three-point percentage consistently exceeding 40%. His cutting and finishing efficiency is also impressive. On defense, he can switch across positions 2 through 4, excels at drawing offensive fouls, and fights for loose balls. His hustle is among the best on the team, and the team's net rating is consistently positive when he is on the floor, making him a stabilizing "glue guy" for the second unit.

Over his career, Kenrich Williams has averaged 6.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in the regular season, with a three-point shooting percentage of 36.8%. He does not need the ball to be effective, possesses a refined passing sense, and can take on secondary playmaking duties, making him a perfect fit for the Thunder's fast-paced system. Although his playing time is often around 15 minutes and his stats may not be flashy, his strong professionalism, positional versatility, and value as a veteran leader in the locker room make him the kind of role player that championship-contending teams need.