Health is without question the main key for OKC Thunder star Jalen Williams to have a bounce-back season in 2026-27. Considering he was constantly hobbled by injuries last year, it was hard for the wing to find his groove and get into a rhythm, which, in turn, directly affected his on-court production.
Warding off any more chomps from the injury bug should undoubtedly help get him back to the regular level of play that fans have grown accustomed to seeing throughout his four-year career, and, more specifically, remind everyone of just how lethal a talent he is.
Perhaps the best way for him to reassert himself as a top-tier player in the association is by tapping back into his sensational off-ball scoring skills, which, prior to last season, were one of his most valuable and, frankly, underrated offensive traits.
Thunder should take advantage of Jalen Williams' off-ball skills
Yes, a healthy Williams has established himself as an elite, three-level scoring threat who can just as easily flush it home at the rim as he can stroke it from deep.
However, given he's coming off a campaign riddled with hamstring issues, perhaps letting the offense come to him and building back his confidence that way, rather than having him go out and generate it himself as pre-injury Dub would often do, may be the safest course of action to kick off the upcoming season.
Leaning on his off-the-catch shooting skills could very well be the best and most effective way to do exactly this.
Though his efficiency may have taken a nosedive in 2025-26 as he attempted to work his way through residuals from offseason wrist surgery, Williams has consistently proven to be one of the most effective catch-and-shoot talents OKC has within their rotation, particularly from long range where, during his first three seasons, he splashed home at 36.3, 43.4, and 39.5 percent clips.
Sam Presti has already gone on record this summer, saying that the Thunder have "a lot more layers" in their approach to success. To many, this has been taken as a hint that the club is willing to tweak its style of play.
Already, guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are reported to be open to taking on different on-court tasks for the sake of growing and becoming less predictable.
Perhaps this could lead to a greater willingness in Williams to avoid putting strain on his body in iso sets, at least at first, and become more focused on his off-ball scoring.
Such an approach should be strongly considered to start the year as the All-Star is reintroduced into the lineup on a consistent basis and attempts to get his body back to a place where it can manage a full 82-game season.
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