In his fourth year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jalen Williams is making waves in the NBA, achieving milestones that many players only dream about. With a championship ring, an All-Star selection, and spots on the All-Rookie, All-Defensive, and All-NBA teams, Williams is proving to be a gem in a draft class that’s largely underwhelmed.
While the Thunder struck gold with both Williams and Chet Holmgren, the 2022 draft class hasn't been as promising overall. Top pick Paolo Banchero has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to lead the Magic beyond the first playoff round, and his stats have taken a hit this season.
Jabari Smith and Keegan Murray have become reliable spot-up shooters, but their contributions have been limited. Aside from Jalen Duren and Benedict Mathurin, the first-round picks have mostly struggled to make an impact.
The Thunder had their own misstep with Ousmane Dieng, acquired through a draft-and-trade deal with the Knicks. Dieng’s stint with OKC saw him average just 4.9 points before trades sent him to the Bucks.
Initially, Jalen Williams wasn't expected to be picked as high as he was. Critics labeled the Thunder’s decision to draft him at 12 as a reach, suggesting he was "a bit overvalued."
However, Williams has proven the skeptics wrong. His performance has been so impressive that Bleacher Report ranked him in the top 15 of their NBA top 100 players list for the 2025-2026 season, placing him above established stars like Devin Booker, Kawhi Leonard, and Jaylen Brown. Banchero, meanwhile, was ranked 19th.
Had the Thunder chosen differently with their third pick in 2022, their future might not look as bright. At just 24, Williams' prime years are ahead, and fans are eagerly anticipating the havoc he, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chet Holmgren will wreak on defenses.
With one championship already in the bag and two of these young talents still eligible for their parents' health insurance, the Thunder’s future looks incredibly promising.