The Key to a Thunder Dynasty

The Thunder have high expectations going into the playoffs. After securing the first seed for two seasons in a row, everyone is looking at them. Can they go to the NBA Finals and win it all, and then potentially continue the momentum to become the next dynasty? If they want to become a dynasty, it comes down to one key player for the Thunder. It is not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or even Chet Holmgren, but someone else.

The Key to a Thunder Dynasty

The key to becoming a dynasty comes down to one player: Jalen Williams. After becoming an All-Star and making a case for an All-Defensive team, he has earned his keep for the Thunder. The Santa Clara product has become a three-level scorer and a defensive monster—a true two-way player on the hardwood. His on-court play is one reason, but there is also another. Here are two reasons why Williams is needed for a dynasty.

Completing the Three-Headed Monster

The Thunder have a hydra on their team. The three heads are made of Shai, Chet, and Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander serves as the offensive orchestrator, changing defenses with his moves. Holmgren serves as their shield, playing phenomenal defense. Williams serves as the wild card. He can do everything they can, just not at the same level. He is still an All-Star, and he can get 20 points each game while also getting a steal or block. Williams is the constant, and you know he will be there.

Can he still develop into a better player? There is no doubt about it—he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. He is only in his third year! He just turned 24 years old on April 14. Williams has stepped up time and time again for the one seed in the West. Once Holmgren went down early in the season, he took his game to another level. He played the center position for a few games and was a reason they won some games. Without him, this team may not have been as historic as they were.

Offensively, he truly became the second option. He averaged 21.6 points per game, which ranks 25th in the NBA. He also notched 5.1 assists per game, showing his clear improvement as a playmaker. Defensively, he went ballistic. Jalen averaged 1.6 steals a game, along with 0.7 blocks. The stats show he is a key player for this young, hopeful squad out on the plains.

Learning From the Past

Years ago, a young Sam Presti made a mistake he will never make again. Concerned with money, he made a decision. After making the NBA Finals in 2012, he would trade away future MVP James Harden. The club is in a similar spot, with Williams acting as Harden in this scenario. Will Presti repeat the past, or instead keep this trio together?

It is not fair to compare Williams to Harden. They were in different scenarios as young players. Harden mostly came off the bench, and Williams is a starter. Williams is also a better offensive and defensive player than Harden was in his third season. He is also more versatile and can play every position on the court. This should show he is more valuable now than Harden was while with the Thunder.

The past and present determine what Presti and company will do in the future. Will they learn from their mistakes and form a dynasty? Will they repeat the past and potentially ruin something great brewing on the prairie? There is no telling, but it is starting to look like deja vu. Jalen Williams is the clear key to a Thunder dynasty, and it just comes down to whether Sam Presti knows it.