Spending a few days in the open seas of NBA free agency, Kenrich Williams — much like Odysseus — was determined to return home. After seeing his team option declined, he eventually signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Williams has stuck to his word. If everything goes right, the 31-year-old will retire in OKC. Now entering his seventh season on the Thunder, he reflected on his brief free agency period at 2026-27 Media Day. With a slimmer face, he was all smiles about his return for another year in an NBA championship hunt.
"It was good. Me and Sam and my agent had a really good dialogue and I talked to my family and stuff," Williams said. "Ultimately, I've said it before, I don't want to be anywhere else but here.
But yeah, everything worked out, and here I am."
In a summer filled with serious roster changes for the first time in years, the Thunder and Williams found a way to keep things going. Sure, it required a little bit of a pay cut from his previous 2026-27 $7.2 million team option, but he was willing to sacrifice that to stay on the co-title favorite in hopes of a second championship ring.
With the Thunder moving on from one-quarter of their rotation minutes in Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, Williams could be depended on more than usual this upcoming 2026-27 regular season. Especially if the young quartet — Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz — is not ready to contribute yet.
Williams' playing time has dwindled over the years, but that speaks more about OKC's ridiculous depth. Now, that's changed. He could have a throwback year and show the Thunder why he should get consistent rotation minutes. And why he's worth sticking around for the long haul as he's turned into a fan favorite.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Kenrich Williams reflects on staying in OKC: 'I don't want to be anywhere else'
