OKC Thunder big man Jaylin Williams has been the heart and soul of his team for the last three years, and there is no doubting it. From cheerleader to offensive playmaker, he has done whatever the team has asked of him without complaint.
Unfortunately, though, the Thunder may be at a crossroads with the center as younger, more talented options await their opportunity.
All signs point to 15th overall draft pick Thomas Sorber being everything Jaylin Williams is on the court and more. And of those signs, the most significant is the approval of general manager Sam Presti.
"[Sorber has a] great feel for the game, can really pass, he's physical, and I think his body has gotten better through this year," Presti said at his end-of-year press conference. "He's really demonstrated great professional habits for a young player... During the year, there were so many times in the year where, if [Topic] or Sorber were available, they'd have played like 30 minutes [with all the injuries]."
Like Sorber, teammate Jaylin Williams is a tough presence down low, albeit slightly undersized. The two make up for their lack of height with incredible length and physicality.
Unfortunately for Williams, Sorber may just be a little bit better than him by every metric.
The Georgetown product is taller, has a longer wingspan, and moves better on the floor. It's no secret that, when watching Jay Will play, there are obvious athletic limitations, even if he makes up for them with hustle and a positive attitude.
It's clear Presti and company think very highly of their young center. Add in his elite floor vision and his defensive-mindedness, highlighted by his pre-draft scouting report, and the Thunder could have a brand new toy to play with around the rim.
Thunder big failed to help himself with golden opportunity
Though it would be disappointing to see a player with such an infectious personality lose his role, the reality is that he has no one to blame but himself.
Operating as the center in OKC's "small-ball" lineups during the postseason, Williams was given an extended opportunity to showcase himself on the big stage.
He held his own, but by many metrics, he didn't do enough to solidify his role.
He shot just 40.0 percent from the floor, an abysmal number for a center. His 36.0 percent three-point percentage was juiced by a blistering 5-for-6 perimeter effort in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Aside from that game, his deep ball was subpar at best.
Thomas Sorber is still developing as a shooter, but Williams simply hasn't done enough as of late to make that a separating factor. Add in the fact that the rookie is bigger, younger, and most importantly, cheaper, and Williams may see his minutes diminish -- that is, if he is still with the team.
Though Presti did mention that the rookie would likely miss Summer League, Williams could quickly become the odd man out if Sorber becomes what the Thunder thinks he is capable of becoming.
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