Jalen Williams occupies the space held by Tyrese Maxey entering last season: that kind-of-already-a-star who seems fated to become undeniable by year’s end.

Playoff struggles accentuated the area in which J-Dub must improve most. The Oklahoma City Thunder still need that second high-level shot-creator and -maker. He’s supposed to be it.

Consider how much Williams broadened his offensive horizons in Year 2. Fewer than 10 percent of his three-point makes went unassisted as a rookie. That share exploded past 25 percent last season, a progression buoyed by a more frequent and nastier step-back jumper. J-Dub also significantly increased his volume as a pick-and-roll ball-handler (37 percent of his possessions, up from 26 percent) and driver (14.5 per 36 minutes, up from 11.3).

Ferrying more of the offensive workload could have adversely impacted his efficiency. It didn’t. His true shooting percentage climbed. So, too, did his sheer number of on-ball counters, both inside and outside the arc.

This is all packaged in someone already something like the second- or third-best defender on a title contender. That’s a bonkers thing to say, and mean it, after two years.

First tastes of postseason basketball have a way of exposing weaknesses. Williams’ were on full display. Given how he responded to his rookie campaign, why should we expect anything less than a full-tilt star breakout this coming season?

Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Kuminga; Jalen Johnson; Evan Mobley; Trey Murphy; Shaedon Sharpe; Jabari Smith Jr.; Jalen Suggs; Devin Vassell