ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Tim MacMahon recently released an article centered around the Oklahoma City Thunder and their offseason plans following their Western Conference Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Some may wonder what’s next for Chet Holmgren after a tough playoff exit, or what the word is on Isaiah Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort’s future.
Real ones want to know what’s next for Kenrich Williams.
“Kenny Hustle” is the second-oldest member of the Thunder and has been with the team since 2020, but it appears his time there could be coming to an end, which is great news for the Lakers. Williams has a team option this summer, and it’s expected that OKC will decline it to save some money.
“Kenrich Williams, another quality role player who has been in and out of Oklahoma City's deep rotation, has a team option for $7.2 next season. Rival executives anticipate that the Thunder will decline that option, although Williams could return at a reduced salary."
If Williams does hit free agency, he is the type of player Rob Pelinka should look to target. He checks several boxes as he isn’t limited to just one skill, should have a relatively cheap price tag, has won before, and plays with an incredible amount of hustle. Hence, why his nickname is “Kenny Hustle.”
It’s time to bring the Hustle to Hollywood
In his career, Williams has an average of 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 stocks (steals + blocks) in 19.3 minutes per game. On top of stuffing the stat sheet, he is also a career 36.8 percent 3-point shooter on 2.4 attempts per game.
These stats don’t capture nearly enough of his impact, but they still tell us a few things. One, he could be a positive 3-point shooter. Two, he is a solid defensive playmaker and a threat as a rebounder. Lastly, he can score if they need him to.
Outside of that, I’d like to spin back to his versatility, especially from a positional standpoint. At a listed 6-foot-7, 210 pounds, Williams can play both forward spots and even step into the paint and play small ball five if he’s asked to.
He’s a high-level weakside help defender, and also very strong on the perimeter. His frame helps him there as he overpowers thinner wings on the perimeter and can muck things up from the point of attack.
Williams can be viewed as a bigger, more experienced, and better shooting version of Jake LaRavia. Just in your head, insert Williams into LaRavia’s place last season. The Lakers would’ve won more games.
Sure, the NBA is still very much a specialist league, especially when it comes to reserves, but what outweighs any skill is heart. Williams is all heart, and he could be the type of player who can give LA whatever boost they need on any given night.
If OKC does decline Williams' option this summer, like they are predicted to, Pelinka needs to make an extra effort to bring him in as a connective piece next to Luka Doncic.
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