The Thunder’s roster looks different enough next season that one of their quieter pieces could end up carrying more weight than usual. Jaylin Williams, long used mostly as a backup center, may be asked to bend his game in a way that matters a lot for Oklahoma City’s rotation.
The biggest reason is the wing group. With Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe now gone, the Thunder won’t have nearly as much depth on the perimeter. That pushes more responsibility onto the guards, who will need to play bigger more often, and it also nudges Oklahoma City toward more double-big looks.
That’s where Williams comes in. Thomas Sorber and Aday Mara are joining the rotation to some extent, giving the Thunder five big men competing for minutes when healthy. Chet Holmgren has already shown he can spend time at the four, but Williams may be the player most likely to slide into that role when he shares the floor with another big who isn’t Holmgren.
Williams has spent most of his career at center, even if he’s been a little undersized for the spot. And when he has been part of double-big lineups, it’s usually been next to Holmgren. That matters now because Sorber brings intriguing athleticism and Mara can work from the high post, but Williams is the one who will likely be asked to handle the four in those pairings.
That shift could be one of the offseason’s most overlooked changes. Williams may have to live more on the perimeter than he’s used to, but his skillset and the way he’s developed in recent years suggest he should be able to make the move without too much trouble.
Still, there’s a chance the early version looks messy. Oklahoma City’s lack of size at forward could create some clunkiness on both ends while Williams adjusts. Even so, he’s shown he can adapt to different situations, and the Thunder may need that flexibility to keep the rotation balanced.
There’s also a bigger payoff waiting if the regular season forces Williams into that expanded role. If Oklahoma City reaches the postseason, more time spent at the four could leave him better prepared to help inside when the games tighten up.
That matters because the Thunder’s road back to the Finals likely runs through at least one of Victor Wembanyama or Nikola Jokic. In that kind of matchup, every extra body inside counts.
So while the transition may bring some early growing pains, Williams’ ability to handle a new assignment could end up giving the Thunder exactly what they need: more lineup options, more flexibility and a better chance to survive the biggest frontcourts they’ll see.
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