# Thunder Without Key Players Become Most Interesting Trade Target > Thunder's injuries to Williams and Wallace create trade urgency as they chase title without two stars. - Title: Thunder Without Key Players Become Most Interesting Trade… - Summary: Thunder's injuries to Williams and Wallace create trade urgency as they chase title without two stars. Thunder must trade or sign players by February… - Keywords: okc, jalen williams, cason wallace, nba, thunder, trade deadline, second apron, shai gilgeous-alexander, chet holmgren, sports, Without, Key - Source: SI — https://si.com/nba/thunder/without-jalen-williams-cason-wallace-thunder-become-most-interesting-team-in-nba-trade-market - Published: 2026-10-27T01:56:05+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: okc, jalen williams, cason wallace, nba, thunder, trade deadline, second apron, shai gilgeous-alexander, chet holmgren, sports ## Thunder's key players injured Jalen Williams suffered dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula requiring surgery. > Jalen Williams went down with a scary-looking leg injury sunday against the clippers ## Cason Wallace injury timeline Wallace has torn labrum in left shoulder requiring surgery same timeline as Williams. > Charania reported that thunder guard cason wallace has torn labrum in left shoulder ## Wallace's contract extension Wallace signed five-year $139 million extension before season. > Wallace is fresh off a five-year $139 million extension ## Thunder's previous season performance Thunder ended one win shy of nba finals last year without key players. > The thunder managed without williams for considerable time last year ## Current roster challenges Dort, wiggins and joe traded due to financial constraints with expensive roster. > Luguentz dort, aaron wiggins and isaiah joe were traded away over the offseason ## Defense impact without key players Williams and wallace's defense was critical with wallace second team all-defensive. > The thunder's defense takes a severe hit without williams and wallace ## Financial situation Thunder $6.9 million below second apron with $15 million disabled player exception. > According to spotrac, the thunder are currently $6.9 million below the dreaded second apron ## Trade exceptions available Thunder has trade exceptions from Dort, wiggins and joe trades to improve roster. > Okc has a few large trade exceptions from the dort, wiggins and joe trades ## Second apron risks Thunder could exceed second apron with $17.2 million from two players. > If you add up those two salaries $10.3 million, okc can bring $17.2 million ## Potential trade targets Thunder could target herb jones from pelicans for defensive help. > The thunder could go to the pelicans and try to get herb jones ## Big trade options Thunder might send hartenstein, caruso or williams for blockbuster deal. > If presti wanted to hunt a bigger salary, he would have to send out someone like isaiah hartenstein ## Trade deadline urgency Thunder must make move by february deadline to avoid second apron. > The thunder have to do something by the time the february trade deadline hits ## Current team potential Gilgeous-alexander and holmgren could keep team competitive without changes. > With how good gilgeous-alexander is along with chet holmgren's all-star breakout last season ## Trade deadline strategy Thunder may trade for expiring contract players to stay under second apron. > Okc can exceed the second apron at the trade deadline with a player on an expiring contract ## What happens next Thunder must decide between big trade or margin improvements by february. > The big question: what kind of move will the thunder make ## Key takeaway Thunder must trade or sign players by February deadline to avoid second apron while chasing title without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace.