The Utah Jazz were arguably the biggest winners on Day 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft.
With the 10th overall pick, the Jazz selected Colorado swingman Cody Williams. They then escaped with USC point guard Isaiah Collier before the night ended, taking him at pick No. 29. In those two rookies, the Jazz netted a pair of prospects who fit their needs and were among the most talented players in their class. Indeed, Williams in contention for the No. 1 pick. Meanwhile, Collier was the No. 1 high school recruit in the Class of 2023.
Only the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves acquired as much talent as Jazz did on Wednesday.
Jazz Rookies Oozing With Potential
Cody Williams
At 6-foot-8 and 178 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Williams is long and wiry.
His spider-like limbs work to his benefit on both ends, with his defensive upside buoyed in part by his physical profile. Though he’s all skin, bones, and muscle, his size allows him to swallow guards and mask forwards. Because of his lateral mobility, he’s capable of guarding along the perimeter. He doesn’t generate a lot of defensive events like steals and blocks, he just makes it hard for his matchups to score.
For a team lacking a primary wing defender throughout the 2023-24 season, Williams’s most important contribution will come at the defensive end.
Offensively, Williams was initially regarded as a 3-and-D wing. As he made 41.5 percent of his 3-point attempts and wasn’t the Buffaloe’s featured scorer, there was a reason for it. Still, it’s an erroneous assessment of his ability, as Williams has a knack for scoring inside the arc. More of a slasher than spot-up threat, his scoring upside gives him star potential. As he’s also an underrated passer off-the-dribble, his ceiling is limitless.
Isaiah Collier
Prior to Day 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft, Collier was expected to be drafted in the mid-first round due to questions about defensive motor and outside jumper.
Many scouts may have overlooked his ability to generate steals (1.5 per game) and his efficiency on catch-and-shoot 3s (36.4 percent). Nonetheless, the two dozen teams that passed up on Collier could be kicking themselves in a few years. Perhaps the most naturally gifted point guard in the class, Collier’s court vision and scoring instincts have a star quality.
Unlike Williams, there’s more question about what his role will be. His strengths and weaknesses are known but what isn’t is what the Jazz plan to do with Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. Should either be traded this offseason, Collier can make his presence felt with ease. However, if nobody goes, their competitive backcourt will have to avoid clashing egos and agendas.
The best way to go about this situation is to have an open competition in training camp. At point guard, one of Collier, Sexton, and Keyonte George will start. At shooting guard, one of Sexton, George, and Clarkson will start. Unless the Jazz are dogmatic about who they want to star, this shouldn’t be a problem.
