Jaylin Williams didn't see a single minute of action in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, raising questions about his future with the "Thunder" as the "Pacers" secured a dramatic 111-110 victory on Thursday night.
The absence of the 22-year-old big man from Coach Mark Daigneault's rotation could signal a potential opportunity for teams looking to acquire underutilized talent. Most notably, the "Golden State Warriors" might have their eyes on Williams as they evaluate their roster needs for next season.
Both the "Pacers" and "Thunder" went deep into their benches during the thrilling series opener at Paycom Center, with Indiana using 10 players and Oklahoma City deploying 11. Yet Williams, who averaged 16.7 minutes throughout the regular season, watched from the sidelines - his third DNP during these playoffs.
With Isaiah Hartenstein coming off the bench after a lineup change and Chet Holmgren firmly established in the rotation, Williams finds himself as the odd man out despite showing flashes of significant potential.
Interestingly, the "Warriors" have already demonstrated willingness to pluck talent from Oklahoma City's depth chart, having traded for Lindy Waters III last offseason. Could Williams be next?
The numbers certainly make a compelling case. In games where Williams played between 20-29 minutes this season, he averaged 9.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting a remarkable 47.1% from three-point range. Even more impressive, in his three games with 30+ minutes, Williams posted near triple-double averages of 13.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists.
For Steve Kerr and the "Warriors" front office, Williams represents an intriguing option with his combination of passing ability and outside shooting - skills highly valued in Golden State's system. The financial aspect makes sense too, with Williams holding a modest $2.2 million player option for next season.
While he may not provide the defensive presence or size that Golden State ideally seeks in a center, his offensive versatility could make him worth the gamble. And given his current standing in the "Thunder" rotation behind Holmgren and Hartenstein, the asking price in any potential trade likely wouldn't break the bank.
As the Finals continue and Williams potentially remains sidelined, could we see his name emerge in more trade discussions? For a player clearly more capable than his current role suggests, a change of scenery might be exactly what's needed.
