The Utah Jazz have made their selections in the 2024 NBA Draft, bringing in a trio of prospects with significant upside: Colorado wing Cody Williams at No. 10, USC guard Isaiah Collier at No. 29, and Duke big man Kyle Filipowski at No. 32 overall. This marks a pivotal moment for a Jazz franchise that finished the 2024-25 season with a 17-65 record, placing them 15th in the Western Conference. The front office is clearly banking on potential, acquiring three players who were at various points projected as lottery talents.
The Jazz's 2024-25 campaign was abysmal on the defensive end, ranking 30th in the league with a defensive rating of 120.4, while their offense was 24th with an offensive rating of 111.2. The team's leading scorer, Lauri Markkanen, averaged 23.2 points per game, with Collin Sexton second at 18.7 points per game. This draft class offers a chance to infuse some much-needed defensive versatility and offensive creativity into a roster that struggled to consistently generate efficient looks or stop opposing teams. Cody Williams, with his 7'1" wingspan and defensive potential, projects as a player who can contribute on both ends, despite needing to add strength.
Williams appears to be the cornerstone of this draft haul, possessing the highest ceiling among the three selections. His ability to blend on-ball and off-ball offense with versatile defense at just 19 years old makes him an ideal modern wing for a rebuilding team. Collier, a former top high school recruit, offers flashes of high-level guard play, and his downhill attacking style could complement existing guards like Keyonte George. Filipowski, a 7-foot center who shot close to 40% from three in college, provides floor spacing and solid rebounding, giving the Jazz a versatile big man who can play pick-and-pop or pick-and-roll.
Danny Ainge and general manager Justin Zanik have consistently shown a preference for accumulating draft capital and taking high-upside swings. The Jazz entered the 2024 draft with two first-round picks and three selections in the top 32, a testament to their long-term vision. This strategy aligns with their ongoing rebuild, which began with the trades of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022. The 2024 draft class, generally considered to lack a consensus top tier, presented an opportunity for the Jazz to find value in players who might have slipped due to inconsistent college seasons or injury concerns.
Looking ahead, the development of Williams, Collier, and Filipowski will be crucial for the Jazz's trajectory. All three rookies have already signed their contracts and participated in Summer League, with Williams averaging 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, Collier posting 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and Filipowski contributing 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Their integration into Will Hardy's system will be closely watched, particularly as the Jazz navigate a tough Western Conference. The Jazz hold a significant amount of future draft capital, including potentially 14 first-round selections over the next six years, allowing them flexibility for further roster construction.