The Utah Jazz were arguably the biggest winners on Day 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n
With the 10th overall pick, the Jazz selected Colorado swingman Cody Williams<\/a>. They then escaped with USC point guard Isaiah Collier<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Only the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves acquired as much talent as Jazz did on Wednesday.<\/p>\n At 6-foot-8 and 178 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Williams is long and wiry.<\/p>\n His spider-like limbs work to his benefit on both ends, with his defensive upside buoyed in part by his physical profile. Though he\u2019s all skin, bones, and muscle, his size allows him to swallow guards and mask forwards. Because of his lateral mobility, he\u2019s capable of guarding along the perimeter. He doesn\u2019t generate a lot of defensive events like steals and blocks, he just makes it hard for his matchups to score.<\/p>\n For a team lacking a primary wing defender throughout the 2023-24 season, Williams\u2019s most important contribution will come at the defensive end.<\/p>\n Offensively, Williams was initially regarded as a 3-and-D wing. As he made 41.5 percent of his 3-point attempts and wasn\u2019t the Buffaloe\u2019s featured scorer, there was a reason for it. Still, it\u2019s 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\u2019s also an underrated passer off-the-dribble, his ceiling is limitless.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s court vision and scoring instincts have a star quality.<\/p>\n Unlike Williams, there\u2019s more question about what his role will be. His strengths and weaknesses are known but what isn\u2019t is what the Jazz plan to do with Collin Sexton<\/a> and Jordan Clarkson<\/a>. Should either be traded this offseason<\/a>, Collier can make his presence felt with ease. However, if nobody goes, their competitive backcourt will have to avoid clashing egos and agendas.<\/p>\nJazz Rookies Oozing With Potential<\/h2>\n
Cody Williams<\/h3>\n
Isaiah Collier<\/h3>\n