Jaylin Williams
The OKC Thunder is constructed in a very unique way; they are simultaneously oversized and undersized at the same time.
While this statement is counterproductive, what I mean is they are oversized at some positions, which is not a bad thing. Still, they lack a true center, which is a bad thing because there are players that require a big to bang bodies with, such as the reigning champion Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic. Just ask the Miami Heat how things went, trying to battle the Nuggets without a true center.
Because the OKC Thunder is lacking in the bigs department, Jaylin Williams has some big shoes to fill. This shouldn’t be a problem, considering he started for the OKC Thunder for nearly half a season. However, with Chet Holmgren set to enter into the equation, it feels like Williams has become overlooked.
Williams will need to play a vital role in order for this team to be successful. What will that role be? Backing up Holmgren, filling in when Holmgren rests, and anchoring the defense on the bench.
In his rookie year, Williams led the team and the entire league in charges drawn with a whopping 43 in only 49 games played; the next closest player was Kevin Love with 33.
I cannot wait to see what tricks Williams has in the bag for year two once Jaylin Williams returns to the floor.