Jazz Film Room: How Cody Williams Fits Into the Utah Jazz Timeline

As the 2024 NBA Draft approached, excitement and speculation were rife as to the direction the Utah Jazz would take. Even though no trade was successful, the Jazz still secured the players they had their eye on all along. Exhibit A is Cody Williams’ 10th overall pick.

Over the past few NBA seasons, the importance of having 3-and-D players on a roster has become clear to any title contender. Just look at the roster of the defending champion Boston Celtics, who benefit from the versatility of their schemes afforded by their abundance of these types of players. Given the current situation of the Utah Jazz, who are lacking in wings and especially two-way players, the addition of Cody Williams is a significant move.

Williams’ averages of 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 55/41/71 shooting (62% true shooting percentage) in 28 minutes per game with Colorado aren’t necessarily eye-popping. However, beyond the numbers, what makes him a vital addition to the Jazz is his impact on both ends of the floor. Offensively, while there may be questions about his ability to become a premier scorer, he can be relied upon and used to work effectively off the ball in a variety of ways. His defensive prowess is evident in his ability to use his length to effectively guard multiple positions, qualities that should really appeal to a front office that fits the mold of successful teams.

Now that we’ve laid out the foundation of his game, it’s time to look at just how good a decision it was to bring Williams to the Jazz and how he can contribute to their current schedule.

Let’s start with one of Williams’ offensive roles that stood out in Colorado in terms of off-ball usage: spot-up shooter. According to Synergy, the 2.03m forward shot 44 percent from three-point range in his 24 games. His sample size isn’t something to get excited about, as he only has 25 attempts, but keeping him around could be a must in the modern game.

The league is emphasizing a more dynamic, kick-oriented approach on offense, and so being able to drain those open looks from the three-point line is a must. To put things in perspective, the Jazz spent the majority of their possessions on three-pointers, making 23.2%, while scoring just 1.07 points per possession, which is considered below average by compared to other teams. Having Williams properly spaced out and giving him the nod might just be the answer to improving this aspect for the Jazz.

Williams is also a terrific cutter who can fit perfectly into Will Hardy’s offensive playbook. According to Synergy tracking data, he scored 1.48 points per possession on cutters, which is a great mark. As the Jazz run more 5-and-out sets, Williams will have plenty of space to become a threat with easier scoring opportunities.

Williams will have to watch how he handles close-range attacks against tougher, more experienced defenders in the NBA. Scoring just one point per direct drive opportunity isn’t exceptional, so his development should focus on strengthening his upper body to better absorb contact on drive attempts.

Now focusing on Williams’ defense, what stood out when observing him was the lack of strength – a continuation of the previous problem in terms of his workouts. Against off-ball screens and handoffs it may seem like he’s doing pretty well allowing 0.3 and 1.03 points per possession respectively, there’s still a long way to go to become a screen navigator complete.

When positioned well and able to track his opponent, Williams’ length to disrupt shots combined with his quick lateral movements can really make him an elite defender in the future:

Project grade: B+

After moving on from Ochai Agbaji and Simone Fontecchio, the Jazz needed a wing player who could fill that role, making Cody Williams an obvious choice. Given that the Jazz fell a few spots below their projected draft order, Williams’ presence at No. 10 is considered a win. His selection not only filled a dire need, but also provided value in terms of draft position, indicating strategic vision on the part of the Jazz’s management.

However, in properly evaluating Williams’ pick, one must keep in mind that he may not simply become a superstar or even a multi-time All-Star in the league. Even so, if his projection of becoming a high-level starter on a playoff-contending team comes true, the Jazz should even feel better about choosing Williams.

In conclusion, while Cody Williams’ immediate impact remains to be seen, his selection represents a calculated move by the Jazz to bolster their roster with a player who fits their system and fills a critical need. If Williams can maximize his potential and contribute meaningfully on both ends of the floor, this pick could prove to be a pivotal moment in the Jazz’s quest for playoff success and championship contention in the seasons to come.