4 Young players Thunder should develop, 1 to give up on
By Tyler Watts
Develop: Jaylin Williams
Williams has primarily played a reserve role in his first two NBA seasons, but there certainly have been flashes. The numbers may not jump off the screen, but the 6’9 big man averaged 4.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in just 13.0 minutes per game last year. He is a career 38.5 percent 3-point shooter over 257 attempts and rated above league average by win shares per 48 minutes.
The 22-year-old is not playing massive minutes, but the Thunder have zero need for another star. They need role players to sink open shots, play stout defense, and do the things that do not show up in the box score. Williams stuck in the playoff rotation and kept making shots.
He may never be more than a reserve big man, but every team needs those options. Williams is set to make $4.2 million over the next two seasons combined, and the Thunder should try to help him reach the next level. It won’t be easy with the addition of Isaiah Hartenstein, but OKC may have found a second-round gem in 2022.
Head coach Mark Daigneault needs to find playing time for several young players, and Jay Will is no exception. The franchise has him on a cheap contract, and the 6’9 big man has proven he can be effective.