NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Expendable difference-maker on every team ahead of trade deadline

Oklahoma City Thunder

Expendable difference-maker: Jaylin Williams

If it wasn't for the Minnesota Timberwolves and their amazing start to the season, we'd be talking more about the Oklahoma City Thunder. They're ranked in the top 3 of the Western Conference standings and very much have the look of a team that could be a big splash move away from being a real player in the postseason. But with the emergence of Chet Holmgren, there's one player that could suddenly be viewed as an expendable piece.

Jaylin Williams all of a sudden could fit the role for such a player, especially if Holmgren continues to play this good while remaining healthy. Even since coming back from an early-season injury, Williams' minutes so far this year have been inconsistent. They're down from last season, naturally playing behind Holmgren, and it'll be interesting to see if anything changes on that front between now and the end of the regular season.

Williams proved last season that he can be an effective player but he may offer the most value to another team that could potentially offer him a bigger role. Right now, what he offers the Thunder the most is depth.