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Jalen Williams, often known as “J-Dub,”, has taken on an unusual role for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. He’s playing extensive minutes at center despite his stature as a 6-foot-6 guard/forward. Williams is an unlikely candidate for this role. However, his impressive 7-foot-2 wingspan and athleticism have enabled him to excel at this unconventional position. With the Thunder’s primary center options—Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams—sidelined due to injuries, Williams has taken up the challenge with poise and effectiveness.
The Thunder Are Thriving Due to Jalen Williams’ Decision
In a season riddled with roster adjustments, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has found innovative ways to use Williams’ versatility to keep the team competitive. Jalen has embraced the responsibilities of a center, particularly in rebounding, an area of the game crucial to maintaining the Thunder’s tempo and rhythm.
Rebounding: A Surprising Strength for Jalen Williams
Despite his relatively smaller frame, Williams has shown impressive rebounding skills, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, which puts him close to Holmgren’s 8.7 rebounds, the team’s high. Williams’ ability to step into a rebounding role has been a lifeline for the Thunder, as they have lacked traditional center options due to injuries.
Williams’ athleticism, length, and high basketball IQ allow him to secure rebounds against bigger opponents. This makes him a unique asset on a Thunder roster that is making do with limited size on the court. His presence on the glass has helped the Thunder stay competitive, even though they rank worst in opponent rebounds per game, allowing an average of 60.3 rebounds.
Defensive Disruption: Making Rebounds Irrelevant
With rebounding deficiencies posing a challenge, Daigneault has adapted by implementing creative defensive schemes. The Thunder have embraced an aggressive, disruptive style that focuses on forcing turnovers and throwing opponents off-balance. As a result, they lead the league in steals (12.7) and deflections per game (23.0), a testament to their defensive strategy.
Williams has become an integral part of this defensive scheme, using his length and instincts to lock up opposing ball handlers and contest shots. He ranks third in the league with 2.1 steals per game, narrowly passing his teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is tied with Cason Wallace for second on the team with 1.8 steals per game. Together, they are a nightmare for opposing backcourts, constantly pressuring the ball and forcing opponents into mistakes.
Williams’ ability to step up on screens and contain ball handlers has been particularly effective. This approach requires exceptional awareness and athleticism, which Williams has demonstrated consistently. His contributions as a defensive playmaker have been instrumental in keeping the Thunder competitive, even without traditional center options.
Cost-Effective Excellence
Another impressive aspect of Williams’ impact is the cost-effectiveness of his contributions. Williams, still on his rookie-scale contract, has a cap hit of just $4.77 million this season and $6.58 million for the next. This value contrasts sharply with his production on the court and highlights the Thunder’s ability to maximize talent on a budget.
For a team that is reaping the rewards of a good rebuild, Williams’ high impact at such a low cost is invaluable. It allows the Thunder to maintain flexibility with their salary cap while still fielding a competitive team. Williams’ versatility and willingness to take on challenging roles like center make him one of the best-value players in the league right now. This is a point that will serve the Thunder well as they continue to develop their young core.
The Thunder’s Future with Jalen Williams at the Core
Jalen Williams has established himself as a cornerstone of the Thunder’s strategy this season. His adaptability has proven invaluable in light of their injury troubles. His willingness to embrace unconventional roles, combined with his defensive instincts and rebounding efforts, has kept the Thunder competitive in a challenging season.
As the Thunder continue to refine their roster and develop their young players, Williams’ growth and resilience at multiple positions will be a key factor in their long-term success. If he continues to perform at this level, the Thunder can look forward to a bright future with Williams as a central figure.
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TODAY'S BEST
Celtics Expected to Make Another Trade After New Comments From Executive
The Boston Celtics' priorities were already apparent before making the trades they did. Because they wanted to get under the NBA's second tax apron, the Celtics were willing to downgrade some of their players to get under it. That's why the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons and Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang. It is a talent downgrade, but it helped Boston achieve their goals of getting under the second apron, even if those players aren't as good as Holiday or Porzingis. However, those trades only helped Boston get closer to being under the NBA's second tax apron, but it didn't get them under completely. Boston signed a few more players this offseason, including Luka Garza, Josh Minott, and Hugo Gonzalez. While these players are on inexpensive contracts, combined, they are enough to keep the Celtics above the NBA's second tax apron. That's why Boston isn't done making moves. Spotrac's Keith Smith revealed in an interview with a Boston Celtics executive that more trades will follow because they are still above the NBA's second tax apron. “Still figuring it all out. As you’ve noted, we’re still above the second apron. We won’t finish there," the Celtics exec told Smith. As far as how the Celtics will do that is anyone's guess. They may trade Anfernee Simons for someone who makes less than him. They may trade Niang's contract to a team that can absorb it via trade exception. They may even trade Sam Hauser or Payton Pritchard to do it. Regardless, more moves are coming for the Celtics.
Matthew Stafford news highlights potential need for Rams
Matthew Stafford's latest injury raises concerns about the depth of the Los Angeles Rams' quarterback room. Stafford suffered a back injury last season, and it's bothering him again at training camp. Rams head coach Sean McVay said the medical concern will force the QB to miss five practices, but it's not season-ending. "He's been throwing, feeling good. It's not necessarily anything that's new. Something that he's dealt with before," the coach told the media. "Going into year 17, we were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program. And so we'll allow him to kind of just work off to the side, on his own, getting himself feeling as good as possible." Stafford's durability has already been waning. The 37-year-old QB missed eight games because of a spine injury and concussion during the 2022 season. The following season, he missed one game because of a right thumb injury. The Rams have a capable backup QB, Jimmy Garoppolo. He has a 43-21 starting record in the regular season in 11 years with the San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots and Rams. Garoppolo, however, is injury-prone. He has battled foot, ankle, knee and shoulder issues over the course of his career. Rams QB Stetson Bennett — a fourth-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft — has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game. Plenty of solid free-agent QBs are still available, including one-time Pro Bowler Carson Wentz. He would be a more trustworthy option than Bennett and already knows the Rams' system. The 2016 first-rounder played for the team during the 2023 season. The Rams hope to win their third Super Bowl after consecutive playoff appearances. Injuries at the most important position could derail their aspirations. McVay doesn't seem too concerned about Stafford's health, but L.A. should still consider adding another QB as a precaution.
Maple Leafs get unfortunate news about acquiring Flames veteran
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore ways to upgrade the roster following Mitch Marner's departure in free agency. The Leafs front office has been trying to fill in the gaps along the roster, and they have been searching on the trade front. One name that has been heavily connected to the Maple Leafs in recent weeks is Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri. Kadri could replace Marner very well in the lineup, but it seems that a deal could be complicated to complete. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, Toronto has tried to land Kadri multiple times this summer, only to be rebuffed each time. Kypreos believes that a deal involving Kadri returning to the Maple Leafs could be unlikely at this point in the summer. Last season, Kadri posted 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames. His presence has been steady on the ice for years, and Calgary could probably get a lot on the trade market for him. The Maple Leafs will likely continue to explore ways to pry Kadri from the Flames. But Calgary likely won't trade him unless it receives an offer that it deems too good to be true. But Kadri is the leader of this team, and he was the best player for them last season. Toronto doesn't have a lot of tradable assets to work with, which could be what is holding things up between the two sides. The veteran could give Toronto a nice boost, but unless the Maple Leafs up the offer, he isn't returning to town.
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
Could this young forward answer multiple questions for the Rangers?
Through much of his time with the New York Rangers, Mika Zibanejad has been too good to be a second-line center, yet not quite a top liner for a contender. Now aging out of his prime, his play has dropped off the past two seasons, only rebounding when moved to the wing next to midseason acquisition J.T. Miller. That presents a problem for New York. The Rangers are not deep down the middle. Moving Zibanejad back to center provides that depth, putting Vincent Trochek back in his appropriate 3C role. But does Zibanejad again suffer without Miller? It also leaves the Blueshirts thin on the right side. Zibanejad can’t play two positions at once and the Rangers cannot rob Peter to pay Paul. There is a solution, however: Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish. Anaheim and New York already have strong front office ties, with a pair of trades in the past eight months. The cross-continental line should be open. McTavish is precisely the player archetype that Rangers general manager Chris Drury has sought in this past year. The 22-year-old possesses good size (6-foot-1, 219 pounds) and plays with a grit that Drury adores. An old-fashioned power forward in the making, McTavish hunts bodies, making life miserable for defenders on the forecheck and finds pockets of space when off the puck, where he unloads a cannon of a shot. An all-situations player, McTavish digs in the corners and is developing nicely as an offensive driver. McTavish is a hard worker who shows leadership traits. New Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan loves to play with speed and relentless pressure, a mantra that suits McTavish down to the ground. For a second-line center, McTavish’s numbers don’t exactly pop off the page, but 52 points (22 goals) in 76 games for a bad Ducks team is nothing to sneeze at. In New York, he would also presumably get to play with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. Given the playmaking ability of those wingers and McTavish’s heavy shot, 30-plus goals could be on the cards. Bleacher Report has stated that the Ducks are unlikely to extend McTavish an offer sheet, instead willing to match whatever offer comes his way. Does that mean he is on the trade block? At the very least it means that Anaheim will likely be willing to listen to offers. That said, it would take an almighty package to pry the former No. 3 pick out of Orange County. The Ducks would rightly command a first-round pick — if not two — and a highly-rated prospect. New York has its own first-rounders in store, as well as a, likely, late first-rounder next year, with second-round picks each year except 2027. Would New York part with a first, a second and a pair of its top prospects? The Rangers are loaded with left wing prospects. Whilst Gabe Perrault is likely off the table, Brennan Othmann, Adam Sykora and Brett Berard should be discussed, as should defenseman E.J. Emery. Would picks and a pair of prospects be enough for Anaheim, though? Here’s a thought experiment: a deal centered around Will Cuylle. As mentioned, the Rangers have a raft of left wingers coming through and Lafreniere is also a natural left winger. Would trading Cuylle for McTavish solve the Rangers' issues at the pivot, allowing Zibanejad to help fix the right-hand side and give the team room to develop more youngsters on the left? Could this solve three issues in one swoop? It would be a, potentially, seismic move, but it might just make sense for both teams, especially if the Ducks are not looking to keep McTavish around long-term. It would complete a remarkable offseason for Drury.
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