3 reasons to be excited about the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2022-23 season

1. The Williams brothers

The Thunder roster is loaded with skilled, versatile, young players who have the propensity for putting up some eye-popping numbers. The problem is it’s hard to separate them from the chaotic context of a not-so-great team. But the Thunder might really have something in rookies Jalen and Jaylin Williams (who are not actually brothers).

Jaylin is a somewhat familiar archetype as the rim protector and vertical spacer on offense. However, he doesn’t have the elite size or athleticism to dominate in that role. But what he does offer is potentially special passing ability and a nose for the ball. Through six games, he’s averaging just 7.6 points per 36 minutes but chipping in 14.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per 36, shooting 53.3 percent from the floor. He’s probably not a future star but his passing, rebounding and defensive potential could make him an ideal role player and connective piece as this roster grows into itself.

Jalen is a big wing with excellent creation potential and a somewhat shaky outside jumper (the Thunder seem to have a fetish for this kind of player. He’s played more preseason minutes than anyone else on this roster and averaged 19.6 points, 7.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per 36 minutes, shooting 61.0 percent from the floor. He’s been as impressive as anyone on the roster at both ends of the floor in the preseason and looks like he could be an essential rotation piece as early as this season.