Thunder Clearly Missing Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams Early On

Oklahoma City will benefit as a team when Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are back on the floor.

As the Thunder stay in Oklahoma City to host the Pistons on Monday night, both Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are set to miss their fourth consecutive game to start the season. Oklahoma City is sitting at 2-1, but glaring weaknesses in the front court have shown up over the first week of the NBA season.

This isn't taking anything away from Chet Holmgren either. The rookie center has been terrific, and is honestly doing everything the Thunder could ask of him. He's serving as a shot-blocking beast on the defensive side of the floor, and a do-it-all 3-point threat on offense. He can't play the whole game, though, and desperately needs another rebounder or two to help him battle in the paint.

Against the Nuggets, Oklahoma City was outrebounded 48-to-29, allowing Denver to snag 10 offensive rebounds. Granted, the Nuggets didn't miss many shots and the Thunder couldn't buy a bucket, but much of that was from the quality looks at the rim.

It feels like the Thunder has been trying to use Ousmane Dieng as a makeshift center in minutes when Holmgren is off the court, and against the Nuggets, Aleksej Pokusevski even got some run. It's a hard ask of Dieng, who's still trying to figure out his role as a wing and how to operate on the court. He's a young player that needs confidence and asking him to play center is an easy way to strip him of any confidence.

When both Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are back in the lineup, Holmgren's job will be easier. J-Will is someone who can come off the bench, but also play with Holmgren if he needs to. He helps absorb the blows from big bodied centers like he did in the Summer League. Kenny Hustle's ability to track down rebounds and fight for loose balls will allow the Thunder to come away with so many more possessions.

When the Williams duo is back on the court, Oklahoma City will be better because of it.

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