THE Utah Jazz The Jazz have likely wrapped up their major offseason moves. Most notably, the team added three new signings to its young core. The Jazz now have three years of draft picks since embarking on this daunting rebuild. While each prospect is at a different stage of their development and each appears to have different value to the team’s future, let’s rank them.
This isn’t a ranking of the most promising players, nor a look at who’s currently the best. We’re going to look at what they’ve already shown, where they want to improve, and the context in which that fits for the Jazz. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
2. Cody Williams
The Jazz selected Williams with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft after just one college season in Colorado. He’s a slender, 6-foot-1 athlete who can play a variety of positions given his wide-ranging skillset. Perhaps the first true wing the Jazz have drafted in a decade, Williams brings positional value and a modern style of play that will hopefully become a key component for years to come.
Some Cody Williams SL highlights for the timeline.
A bright future for the 10th overall pick. pic.twitter.com/JTHocT7mfF
— AJ (@AJ3Jazz) July 31, 2024
Williams, one of the best players in his class, possesses a shooting talent complemented by his elite touch around the basket. Pairing that touch with an innate ability to create finishing angles, a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 35-inch vertical width is Williams’ most transferable skill. With a Will Hardy offensive system that creates advantages through unselfishness and player movement, I expect to see Williams flourish with these opportunities.
One of Williams’ most unique qualities is his ability to handle the ball and read the game well. He’s shown some ability to play point guard in the past, and while I don’t think he’ll thrive in that role, having that skill set to build on will continue to benefit him. Williams can pass at a high level, something the Jazz lacked last season. With his size and ball skills, Williams presents himself as a truly versatile player for the Jazz to deploy.
One of Williams’ biggest flaws right now is his small size. Although he weighed just 178 pounds at the combine, Williams is only 19 years old and will continue to get bigger. I expect that as he continues to get stronger, he will also be able to get past defenders more consistently.
A topic of conversation before the draft, I was encouraged by Williams’ shooting throughout Summer League. He was willing to take the shots that came his way and made them at a respectable rate. I think his added strength will allow him to become more consistent in that regard as well.
Williams’ brother, Jalen Williams of Oklahoma City Thunderhas quickly become one of the best young players in the NBA. He has a similar skill set in that he handles the ball extremely well for his size, scores efficiently, and defends hard. Expecting the Jazzman to develop like his brother is unreasonable, but they do share similarities. I mention this to point out that J-Dub has been a bit slow to blossom. If the younger of the two can continue to develop, the sky will be the limit for him.
Watching Cody Williams this season made me realize just how much high-end, long-term potential he has and why he’s one of the most attractive two-way prospects to consider in the upcoming draft.
Some intriguing numbers from Cody Williams in his first season at… pic.twitter.com/flCy1hXmPy
— mohamed (@mcfxz) June 21, 2024
Overall, I have a lot of faith in Williams’ long-term potential with the Jazz. He has the foundational skills to become a valuable two-way wing in a league where that archetype is invaluable. I also think it will take time for him to develop, especially physically, to become the player the Jazz hope he will be. In a rebuilding year, I expect him to have plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.
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