Thunder Forward Jack White Could Play Similar Role to Kenrich Williams

The Oklahoma City Thunder have already made three roster cuts this summer, with more changes set to come in the following months.

With more than 15 players under fully-guaranteed contracts still, OKC will have to made a few additional adjustments prior to the start of the NBA season in October. 

As cuts loom, each of the fringe roster players will have to do everything they can to prove that they deserve a spot on the team and can contribute to winning basketball.

One of Oklahoma City's offseason additions trying to stick on the roster is Australian forward Jack White. White spent the 2022-23 season with the Denver Nuggets organization, playing 17 games in the NBA and 15 games in the G League.

The Duke product averaged 19.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 54.4% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the arc in his time with the Grand Rapids Gold last year. White averaged 1.2 points and one rebound per game in 3.9 minutes per contest in his NBA appearances last season.

Listed at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, White has a similar build to Kenrich Williams, who was an extremely valuable piece for the Thunder in 2022-23 before missing the final month of season with a wrist injury. 

Williams', who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, averaged eight points, 4.9 rebounds and two assists while shooting 51.7% from the floor and 37.3% from 3-point range in nearly 23 minutes per contest.

Williams' versatility allowed him to earn minutes as a center and wing player for Mark Daigneault last year, helping lead some of OKC's most productive lineups while playing the five position. 

With White's size and skill set, there is a chance that he could fill a similar role to Williams, who Oklahoma City had no replacement for last season. If White shows the team's coaching staff that he has the ability to serve as a small-ball center, his value and likelihood that he is on the roster in October will see a massive increase. 

Over the past week, White has helped Thunder teammate and fellow Aussie Josh Giddey lead Team Australia to a 1-1 record in the FIBA World Cup. In each of the Boomers' first two contests, White filled his role well, moving off ball, spotting up at the 3-point line and playing solid defense. 

White's ability to find his niche and play within a well-defined role is also an intangible skill that OKC seems to value, again giving the 26-year-old a chance to earn his spot in the NBA.