The Utah Jazz wanted to take the perfect participant obtainable with the tenth general draft decide on Wednesday evening, even when that meant selecting somebody who didn’t essentially match a positional want for the Jazz. If that participant simply so occurred to even be a flexible wing, it might have been the perfect case situation for Utah.
Enter Cody Williams.
There was no assure that Williams was going to be obtainable for the Jazz with the tenth decide. There was buzz for weeks that Williams might be a top-seven choice. Even so, the Jazz had been hopeful.
Along with all intel the group had main as much as the pre-draft course of, the Jazz had been blown away by Williams once they interviewed him on the NBA Mix in Could. Then they introduced him to Salt Lake Metropolis for a pre-draft exercise, which solidified what they believed about Williams — that he had top-10 potential and that if he was on the board at No. 10, they’d take him.
Williams advised native reporters on Wednesday evening that when his agent requested if he wished to know what vary he was going to get picked in, he mentioned he’d reasonably be stunned.
“I had no thought if I used to be going 1-through-10, 1-through-15, 1-through-30, 1-through-60, like I actually didn’t know,” he mentioned. “I’m stoked to be a part of Utah Jazz and actually can’t wait to get down there and go to work.”
Williams went on to say that he cherished the Jazz’s follow facility, calling it “clearly top-notch” and mentioned his exercise went rather well. Throughout the exercise he mentioned the group famous that if he was going to have the ability to play at altitude by means of 82 video games, he’d must get into higher form and work on his physique, gaining numerous power. He additionally famous the necessity to turn into a extra dynamic shooter, which will get on the solely actual flaw in his recreation that analysts have pointed to.
In his lone season at Colorado, Williams confirmed defensive and offensive versatility and shot 41.5% from 3-point vary, however that taking pictures got here on a low quantity (1.7 makes an attempt per recreation) and totally on catch-and-shoot alternatives. So the query is, can he be a dependable shooter, who could make photographs on the transfer, off the dribble and in spot-up conditions and at a better quantity if want be?
The Jazz imagine that the reply is sure and Williams does too.
Outdoors of that, Williams is true about needing to develop and work on his physique. Though he has an unbelievable NBA body at 6′6.5″ with a 7′1″ wingspan, he’s on the lighter aspect, which is totally comprehensible for a 19-year-old. All indicators level to Williams having the ability to fill out and produce at a excessive stage on either side of the ball.
How might Williams slot in with the Jazz as soon as he’s able to play authentic NBA minutes? Nicely, he mentioned it fairly nicely himself on Wednesday evening.
“I believe I slot in with this group of men simply due to my versatility,” Williams mentioned. “Being a two-way participant, I really feel like I herald protection proper off the bat, which I really feel like each group wants, however particularly with this younger core we have now. Having the ability to not solely create for myself however create for others due to the expertise we have now on this group, after which type of creating offense with our protection, I really feel like I may also help that with my size. That’s how I type of see myself becoming in.”
That’s precisely what the Jazz see too.
They noticed that Williams was in a position to play with the ball in his fingers however was additionally sensible shifting round as a slasher, cutter and screener. He’s a fast resolution maker, is an efficient passer and may play on both aspect of a pick-and-roll. Defensively his size and flexibility can be examined within the NBA, however he has an incredible defensive basis.
The Jazz went into the evening needing to take the perfect participant obtainable, however had been additionally hopeful they may get a flexible, two-way wing who might turn into a long-term resolution for his or her wing-deficient roster. They got here away with probably the most promising two-way gamers within the draft.