This summer, the OKC Thunder made the decision to run things back in 2025-26 with the vast majority of their NBA Finals-winning roster intact, retaining a depth chart consisting of players that accounted for 99.2 percent of their playoff minutes last year.
Though fans should be excited to watch this elite core fight to defend their place atop the league's totem pole this coming campaign, sadly, the wait to see them all return to the hardwood as a collective unit may stretch beyond October 21's season tip-off.
At least, that's what Sam Presti seems to be suggesting.
When discussing Jalen Williams and his recovery timeline following offseason wrist surgery, the storied executive avoided making any predictions or dropping any specific potential return dates.
Instead, as transcribed by Thunder sideline reporter Nick Gallo, Presti stresses that "we'll see where we are" regarding his rehabilitation once training camp comes to a close and that "it'll be a collaborative decision as to when he returns."
Thunder star Jalen Williams not guaranteed to start season healthy
The All-Star forward went under the knife to address a torn ligament in his right wrist back in July, an injury that, unbeknownst to those outside of the Thunder organization, plagued him throughout OKC's road to a title and even forced him to rework his shooting form along the way.
During Monday's Media Day, Williams admitted that he had been barred from any rigorous basketball activities since the operation, which suggests that he's heading into the start of camp and preseason with the expectation that there will be some rust in his play.
To this point, the 24-year-old has been found dribbling with both hands and shooting in practice, though even he has acknowledged that he's still a ways away from returning to full-fledged action.
2024-25 proved to be a breakout year for Williams, who established himself as the de facto number two option behind MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and went on to drop career-best averages of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and just shy of a block while shooting 48.4 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from deep.
He would also earn All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive honors for his efforts while netting a lucrative new max extension that could reach as high as $287 million over a five-year stretch.
Williams missing time is far from an ideal scenario for the Thunder, though, with Chet Holmgren right behind him in the ranks and ready to take on number two duties in his absence, it's something this team could find ways to cope with rather seamlessly.
The road to a championship repeat should objectively be seen as a marathon, not a sprint. Because of this, the Thunder could opt to take things slow with Williams' return to action and push his season debut a bit beyond the club's opener against the Houston Rockets later this month.
As training camp moves along, it will be important to keep monitoring the on-court progressions and workload of their cornerstone forward.