“I Think J-Dub Might Already Be the Best Small Forward in the NBA.” 👀
When Kevin Durant made his now-viral comment on a podcast last month—”J-Dub’s game reminds me of a younger me, but more polished this early”—it wasn’t just lip service. It was the latest echo in a growing chorus of voices across the league asking the same question: Is Jalen Williams, aka “J-Dub,” already the best small forward in the NBA?
What started as quiet chatter in OKC practice gyms has turned into a national discussion. Williams, the 6-foot-6 Swiss Army knife of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has rapidly evolved from an exciting rookie into a two-way juggernaut with a skill set that mirrors the modern NBA’s elite.
A Breakout Year
Through the first 45 games of the 2025 season, J-Dub is averaging 24.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and shooting 52% from the field and 41% from three. But it’s not just the numbers. It’s how he gets them. He glides to the basket with deceptive length and pace. His midrange fadeaway has become lethal. And on defense? He guards 1 through 4, often taking the assignment of the opponent’s top scorer.
“People don’t realize how smart he is,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “He sees things before they happen. He’s not just reacting—he’s controlling the game.”
Respect From the Elite
LeBron James called him “a problem” after a narrow loss to the Thunder in January. Kawhi Leonard, normally a man of few words, reportedly told teammates in the Clippers’ locker room that J-Dub “is a top-three wing already.” And Paul George admitted on his podcast, “He cooked me a few times. No lie. Kid is different.”
Even among his peers—players who’ve known his grind from Santa Clara to NBA stardom—there’s a sense that he’s skipping levels.
A New Face of the Thunder?
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the franchise cornerstone, and Chet Holmgren continues to blossom, J-Dub’s rise has added a new layer to OKC’s title aspirations. The Thunder are currently sitting atop the Western Conference, and Williams is a major reason why.
“He’s the guy we go to when we need a bucket late,” Shai said after a comeback win over the Nuggets. “His confidence is through the roof—and it’s earned.”
What’s Next?
All-Star? Likely. All-NBA? Very possible. But MVP talk?
“If the Thunder finish as the No. 1 seed and J-Dub keeps this pace,” said ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, “we’re gonna have to start that conversation.”
It might be early. But if you watch the tape, see the stats, and listen to the respect he’s drawing league-wide—it’s no longer outlandish.
Jalen “J-Dub” Williams isn’t just on the rise.
He might already be at the top.
