NBA Notes: Thunder, Jalen Williams, Knicks, James Wiseman, Magic

Thunder

Jalen Williams does nearly everything the Thunder need from a star wing. Grayson Buchanan of NBA On SI believes consistent three-point shooting is the final piece.

The numbers support the concern, although they also complicate it. Williams shot just 29.9 percent from behind the arc during the regular season and made fewer than one three per game. He then converted 41.7 percent during the playoffs on limited volume.

So the ability exists. The consistency does not. Williams already can create off the dribble, finish at the basket, defend several positions and operate as a secondary playmaker. A dependable jumper would make it considerably more difficult for opponents to load their defense toward Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

That doesn’t mean Williams needs to become a high-volume gunner. Oklahoma City has plenty of offense and doesn’t need him hunting threes merely to prove he can make them.

The Thunder need opponents to believe he will take and convert the open ones. That little bit of hesitation can create a much larger opening elsewhere.

Knicks

The Knicks signed James Wiseman and Drew Eubanks. That does not necessarily mean their search for a third center is finished.

Isaiah De Los Santos of Knicks On SI raised that possibility, noting that both arrived on non-guaranteed contracts.

That’s his assessment, not a report that New York intends to make another move. Still, neither player should unpack too comfortably.

Wiseman has appeared in only a handful of games over the past two seasons because of significant injuries. Eubanks offers experience and reliability, but his role and production have declined since starting 22 games for Portland in 2021-22.

The assignment isn’t especially complicated. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond will handle the meaningful center minutes. The third big needs to rebound, protect the paint and remain prepared when someone ahead of him is unavailable.

Wiseman offers more theoretical upside. Eubanks offers the safer floor. Training camp will determine whether either offers enough.

Magic

The Magic have depth. New coach Sean Sweeney now must decide what to do with it. So Ryan Kaminski of Magic On SI identified five rotation questions entering camp, beginning at center.

Nikola Vucevic, Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze all can play the position, while Paolo Banchero could close games there against smaller opponents.

The backcourt may be even more interesting. Jalen Suggs enters camp as the likely starting point guard, but Anthony Black and Jase Richardson could pressure him for minutes. Richardson also will compete with veteran Jevon Carter for a reserve role.

Noah Penda and rookie Izaiyah Nelson add two more variables to a frontcourt already featuring Tristan da Silva and Jonathan Isaac.

This is the type of problem every coach claims to want. It remains a good problem until accomplished players begin wondering why they played 12 minutes.

Sweeney’s first major task won’t be finding NBA-caliber options. It will be convincing several of them to accept smaller roles.