Inside The Thunder

Thunder Forward Jalen Williams Poised to Have Bigger Impact In 2023-24

Jalen Williams' production exploded towards the end of his rookie season, and his impact could make an even greater impact in his sophomore year.

Dustin McLaughlin

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It’s kind of funny looking back at the trajectory of Jalen Williams’ draft stock last year. He didn’t really garner much attention at all until the last month or so before the 2022 NBA Draft.

Williams’ talents had already been on full display early on in his junior season at Santa Clara. Through his first ten games, he averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.8 steals to help the Broncos to a 7-3 record.

His efficiency was awesome: Williams shot 61.5% on 2-pointers, 38.7% on 3.1 3-point attempts per game, and 86.0% on a whopping 5.7 free throw attempts per game.

Here was a wing-sized point guard showcasing everything you look for in an NBA player: ambidextrous ball-handling and finishing, superb timing as a passer to go along with good vision, three-level scoring ability, and great defensive tools.

Still, few were really paying attention.

Fast-forward to the start of the 2022-23 NBA season. Williams suffers an eye injury in his rookie debut after having not even played six minutes.

After resting for four games, Williams returned to the court wearing a protective mask and made an immediate impact in just his second game. In his next 27 minutes, he would go on to record 13 points, four steals, and three assists and knock down all three of his free throw attempts to help the Thunder overcome Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Little did we know it, but it was the start to something special.

Williams would go through his ups and downs just like any other rookie as he adjusted to playing against bigger, faster, longer, stronger, and smarter players. But early on, it was his aptitude for cutting, offensive awareness, and his defensive effort that would earn him 40 starts over the Thunder’s next 51 games.

During that period, Williams was figuring it out. The shuffling of the feet that led to turnovers earlier in the season had become non-existent. His three-ball started to go in, complimenting his cutting. And most importantly, he slowly found that groove as a ball-handler and passer that helped him stand out at Santa Clara.

Right before the All-Star break, Williams’ production started to explode, putting him in the conversation for the Rookie of the Year Award, where he finished second in voting.

In his last 26 games of the season, he was putting up nearly 19 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.9 steals in 33.5 minutes. His efficiency, like at Santa Clara, was incredible too: 54.6% shooting from the floor, 44.0% from beyond the arc, and 89.4% from the free throw line.

As the Thunder’s season ended, everyone awaited for what seems like forever for the 2023 NBA Draft, wondering what Sam Presti might have up his sleeve or who he might pick.

And then Summer League happened.

As Oklahoma City trotted out onto the floor of the Delta Center arena, Williams looked significantly bigger — not just a little bit, but a lot. An interesting development for a second year player who has just turned 22 years old.

The Thunder finally tipped the ball off and Williams went to work as the primary ball-handler. It looked too easy for him. The way he carved out space and got to his spots was effortless.

Williams’ defenders appeared to be attached to his hip, but it didn’t matter. He was too strong and too long. A little bump here and a little bump there would push them back just enough for him to find a gap in the defense or get off a clean shot.

His outside jumper looked as smooth as ever, too, as he stepped into three 3-pointers — two at the top of the break — on five attempts.

Williams just looked ultra-comfortable doing everything against the Utah Jazz, almost as if he was a seasoned superstar just having fun with the young guys.

And perhaps Jalen Williams’ game is polished enough to help him make that leap to stardom as soon as this season.

After all, what can’t Williams do?

Some may argue that he won’t have the opportunity or shot attempts to reach that level with the Thunder looking to incorporate a Chet Holmgren into the mix. But is that even how a star is defined?

While you can quibble about what ultimately constitutes a star, Williams definitely stands to benefit from the addition of new talent to Oklahoma City’s roster and further development from the likes of Giddey, Dieng, Mann, etc. Not to mention, having another summer to work on his game.

So why wouldn’t Williams make another big jump in year two?

While he’s continued to improve his game year over year from his freshman year in college to year one in the NBA, concerns about Williams falling victim to a sophomore slump linger.

But given the consistency in production he showed to close out 2022-23 and the fact that he is now stronger and will have more weapons around him next season, there’s little reason to think Williams’ production, effort, or efficiency would take a hit. Whether it’s a higher assist percentage, lower turnover percentage, a bigger defensive impact, or taking on more responsibility as an offensive initiator for example, more impact from Williams can be expected in his sophomore season.

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Dustin McLaughlin
DUSTIN MCLAUGHLIN

Dustin has followed the Oklahoma City Thunder since their inception in 2008, and the NBA since the early 2000s. He's been scouting NBA prospects for 4 years and running.

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