'Other' Jaylin Williams paying off for Thunder

Jaylin Williams got a multi-year deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder this season despite the team having two other expensive centers on the roster. It's been an incredible value so far.

Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein went down with a leg injury in Wednesday's 103-100 win over the New York Knicks. It's not a disaster because Williams has come through when thrust into a bigger role.

Jaylin Williams is an underrated big man

One reason that Williams flies under the radar is that he was drafted the same year as a Thunder star with the same name, but spelled differently. Jalen Williams starred in the Finals last season, played in the All-Star Game and was on the All-NBA third team. The "other" Jaylin Williams is a valuable reserve, but sits behind Hartenstein and All-
Star Chet Holmgren on the Thunder's depth chart.

But when he's pressed into service, "Jay Will" (his teammate is "Jay Dub") delivers. In the four games this season where Williams has played 30 or more minutes, he's averaged 20.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from behind the arc.

His ability to stretch the floor and move the ball makes Williams an easy fit in any lineup, either in place of Holmgren or alongside him. His per-minute assist numbers are higher than many Thunder guards and comparable to Hartenstein (4.7 assists per 36 minutes to Hartenstein's five). Williams also blocks shots at a higher rate than any Thunder player besides Holmgren.

He's under contract for three years and $24M and so far has been worth every penny. Best of all, his deal gets cheaper in the last two seasons.

OKC Thunder have another underrated Williams

With Hartenstein potentially facing an extended absence, the Thunder have another Williams they rely on, albeit a smaller one. Despite standing 6-foot-7, Kenrich Williams provides shooting and stability when the Thunder truly need him.

Wednesday, the elder Williams was +8 in his six fourth-quarter minutes, sinking one of his two three-point attempts. His impact doesn't show up in the box score, despite his excellent 41 percent three-point shooting, but he's a versatile defender who's simply a great connecting piece, moving the ball and hitting timely shots without getting in the way of his more offensively-oriented teammates. He's also one of only two Thunder players over the age of 30 (he and Alex Caruso were born in 1994).

That's how the Thunder have remained at the top of the NBA standings even with Hartenstein, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso and "Jay Dub" all missing significant time. The Thunder have a solid bench that they trust with extended minutes. Especially if their last name is Williams.