With the 2025-26 NBA preseason nearly here, the Utah Jazz have a lot to sort through in determining who will be playing significant roles this season. While most of the roster spots are filled, there is still much to be sorted out, and as with most years, there will be some surprises along the way.
Last year, Kyle Filipowski was easily the surprise player, coming in as a second-rounder and playing in 72 games, with 27 starts. He averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and nearly two assists a night.
Not to be forgotten, Isaiah Collier came on as a late first-round pick and started 46 games, earning Will Hardy's trust and relegating Keyonte George to a sixth-man role, surprising a lot of Jazz fans along the way.
For this year, who will emerge from the shadows to be a significant contributor? With so many young guys already on the roster, is there a space for someone to emerge and steal minutes, like Wesley Matthews, Paul Millsap, and Rudy Gobert did in past seasons?
Walter Clayton Jr.
Some might think that Clayton is already primed for success, having been a four-year college player and an integral part of the 2025 NCAA Champion Florida Gators. He's already 22 and shouldn't have as much adjustment as some of his fellow rookies.
Clayton does have to contend with another first-round pick, with much greater hype - Ace Bailey, who should get a lot of attention and minutes early on. And with Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Cody Williams, and Svi Mykhailiuk also vying for backcourt minutes, Clayton needs to show the same steady game he did at Florida, while meshing with veterans and young players alike.
If Clayton can keep his shooting respectable and stay with his man on defense, he could get a lot of starts and minutes at the two-guard spot as a rookie.
Brice Sensabaugh
As he enters Year 3 in Utah, Brice Sensabaugh should be settled and ready to play big. He has already shown the ability to score in bunches and stretch the defense with great 3-point shooting.
Lost in the surprising seasons that Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier had last season, Brice drastically improved his shooting from the field (39% to 46%) and from three-point range (30% to 42%), while keeping his turnovers at a respectable 1.5 per game with a higher use rate. He had six games of 20 points or more after the All-Star break and thrived with more opportunities.
With John Collins no longer in front of him in the frontcourt, a talented rookie in Ace Bailey to challenge him for minutes on the wing, and a looming contract extension next summer, Brice Sensabaugh will be motivated to have a surprising season for the Utah Jazz in 2025-26.
Cody Williams
Last year's rookie disappointment has an opportunity to redeem himself in 2025-26. Looking much more NBA-ready in Summer League with an improved physique, Cody now has a clearer path to minutes in Year 2.
His defense was capable at times as a rookie, something his improved conditioning should only enhance. And his shooting has nowhere to go but up, and he has a blueprint for that - his teammate Brice Sensabaugh made a huge leap in Year 2, something Cody can copy on his path to success.
Cody Williams can be a valuable NBA player, and with significant competition for minutes at the two and three, we should see the best version of him now that he's had a full offseason with the Jazz to work on his game.
So, which of these will have a surprising season and be the next emerging player for the Jazz? We'll find out soon as media day and training camp get underway on September 29th.