After a disappointing rookie season, many were looking forward to seeing if Cody Williams would step up in Year 2 with the Utah Jazz. Well, he hasn't, as he's played in nine games while averaging 13.1 minutes a game. Despite the Jazz not giving him as many chances this season, Williams made it clear that he's simply staying ready for when his time comes.
While talking with The Deseret News' Sarah Todd, Williams talked about what he does to prepare when sitting on the bench.
“Just staying prepared with film, my on-court workouts, my preparation,” Williams told Todd. “I think the biggest part is just the mental part of staying ready and being locked in. So when you go out there, you can have an impact.”
In his defense, the Jazz are playing the players who simply seem more ready for the moment than he is currently. Because they have proven how much better they are this season, Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George have been getting the lion's share of the touches. On top of that, the Jazz have simply seen more from Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, and Isaiah Collier.
Because of that, someone has to be left out of the equation, and that someone happens to be Williams. That could change, but it does seem pretty telling that during a season in which Collier, Georges Niang, and Walker Kessler have all missed substantial time, Williams' opportunities in his sophomore year have been very sparse.
Is Williams part of the Jazz's future?
Williams' role had been limited but he's had his moments. He played a vital role in Utah's near-comeback over Portland. Plus, when he has played, he's shown that he has put it together as a wing defender. Unfortunately, his jumper still hasn't really shown up and even though he looks the part, Williams hasn't shown himself to be much of a playmaker.
Whether it's because he hasn't come along as much as many had hoped or he's simply a victim of circumstance is anyone's guess. Nonetheless, because the Jazz have played most of their young guys more consistently than Williams, it is worth asking if he is in their long-term plans.
He's only 20 years old, and the idea of what Williams can be is very tantalizing. The Jazz have already begun figuring how to assemble an excellent offense, and as that continues to develop, now they've got to focus on building themselves up on the other end. If Williams can be a neutral on offense, that just might be enough for him to find a spot in the rotation.
But it'll be on him to prove it, and there's no telling if he will get the chance to.