Can Jalen Williams Be the Co-Star OKC Needs or Trade Options?
The Thunder face a crucial decision on Jalen Williams’ role and potential trades to enhance their championship chances
Oklahoma City, NBA, Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trade
Oklahoma City: The Thunder are in a bit of a pickle. They’ve been looking good, but their recent loss to the Bucks showed some cracks in the armor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is shining bright as an MVP candidate, but the question remains: does he have a solid co-star? Jalen Williams has had his moments, but he struggled when it mattered most last season.
This season, Williams came back ready to shoot more threes, but he didn’t quite deliver in the elimination games. He averaged 18.7 points but shot only 44% true shooting. It’s tough to watch him struggle against defenders like AJ Green and Gary Trent. He just couldn’t create the space he needed for good shots.
Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t at his best either, but we know he can dominate when it counts. Williams is still young at 23, and he’s shown he can be a versatile player. The big question is whether he can step up and be more consistent by spring. With Chet Holmgren potentially returning, there’s hope for more offensive options.
Some fans might say the Thunder just had a bad shooting night against the Bucks, and they’re not wrong. But the team’s 3-point shooting has been shaky all season. They’ve got decent shooters, but not many great ones. The Bucks had a game plan to limit SGA and Williams, and it worked.
Milwaukee’s defense was smart, letting some players shoot while focusing on stopping the stars. The Thunder need to think about making a trade. Sam Presti has a treasure trove of draft picks, so he could go after almost anyone. Last season, he played it safe, but this year, it’s clear they need more shooting and maybe a backup guard to help SGA.
There are a few players I’d love to see the Thunder target. Herb Jones from the Pelicans would be a great fit, but New Orleans might not want to let him go. Pascal Siakam could bring some championship experience and shot creation. John Collins is having a great season and could be a solid addition too.
Collin Sexton might not be a superstar, but he can score and fits the team’s timeline. Larry Nance is versatile and could help in various roles. Cam Johnson is a great shooter, and Cam Thomas could provide some much-needed scoring support.
The Thunder’s future looks bright, but they need to act wisely. Championship windows can close fast due to injuries or bad roster moves. Just look at the past Thunder teams with Durant, Westbrook, and Harden. They had their shot but never made it back to the Finals.
Now, the Thunder are at a crossroads. Do they play it safe or go for it? Presti’s next move could shape the future of this team. If he plays his cards right, Oklahoma City could be on the brink of something special. But if he waits too long, they might end up as another “what if” story in NBA history.