Potential Trade Target for Thunder After Gruesome Jalen Williams Injury

October 26, 2026
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It was an ugly scene on Sunday as Jalen Williams suffered a gruesome ankle injury. With his season very possibly over at this point for the All-Star wing, the Oklahoma City Thunder will need to figure out a replacement, and one name is already emerging.

Herb Jones was a trade target last season and in the summer, but the New Orleans Pelicans chose to hang on to the elite wing defender. But for some reason, his minutes have plummeted this season, from his usual 30 minutes per game mark to just 17 in the Pels' first three games. Averaging just 3.3 points won't do a lot for his trade value from New Orleans' perspective, so the Thunder could try to pounce.

According to Sean Deveney of heavy.com, "It’s possible that Jones could be a target to replace Williams in OKC.

Jones would certainly provide the perimeter defense that they lose in Williams's absence, if not the scoring. 

There are others around the league, however, per Deveney, who don't think the Thunder are panicking into a move to replace Williams. 

“I don’t think the injury changes the approach that much,” one Western Conference executive said. “They’ve got size. They’ve got firepower. It could, though, move up a trade if they feel like they need to plug someone in that role and they’re already planning on unloading some salary.”

It's the second straight year of major injury troubles for Williams. He played just 33 games last season due to offseason wrist surgery and hamstring issues. 

The injury, however—a fractured fibula and dislocated left ankle—was gruesome. With that, a warning in advance for those who get queasy:

The Thunder are off to a 3-0 start this year. 

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