Life without Jalen Williams is something the Oklahoma City Thunder are unfortunately accustomed to.
Williams is the secondary scorer next to point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he recently underwent surgery to repair a fractured left fibula and a dislocated ankle and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the year.
During the 2025-26 season, the Thunder went 39-10 without Williams. They have the talent to stay atop the Western Conference, but Chet Holmgren’s small patellar tendon tear in his right knee complicates things.
Right now, Oklahoma City could use another All-Star in its lineup. General manager Sam Presti may look to the trade market to make a big splash.
If the stars aligned, that player could have been Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who was traded to the Rockets from the Thunder on draft night in 2021.
“You know what the Thunder are unlikely to find there? A two-time All-Star, 24-year-old center who might be taking his game to previously unseen heights.
“And that hurts because Şengün was originally drafted by them, only to be quickly rerouted to the Rockets for draft assets the Thunder later used as part of a package for Ousmane Dieng, who was salary-dumped at last season’s deadline,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley wrote.
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Sengun is a key contributor for the Rockets, averaging a career-high 22.8 points and 7.4 assists while grabbing nine rebounds per game.
In 2021, the Thunder traded two first-round picks in exchange for Sengun. Presti has done an excellent job of building Oklahoma City’s roster, but he may regret that trade in particular.
Losing Williams may not have hurt as badly if Sengun was there to soften the blow. But the Thunder might have to get creative if they want to make another run to the NBA Finals.
