Jazz make necessary decision with lottery pick Cody Williams

The Utah Jazz threw Cody Williams to the wolves when the 2024-25 season started. From the very beginning, he was in their rotation, and following Taylor Hendricks' unfortunate season-ending injury, he was then thrust into their lineup.

In his role, Williams has, well, underwhelmed. At least, for someone who was not only picked No. 10 in his draft but was also expected to play right away. Now, for the record, Williams is only 20 years old, so he has plenty of time to figure things out.

However, the Jazz have now decided to ease Williams' burden, as they announced via their X account that he has been assigned to their G-League affiliate, the SLC Stars.

During the season, Williams averages 3.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting almost 27% from the field and almost 19% from three. You'd expect those numbers from someone who isn't getting much playing time, but Williams is averaging 18.7 minutes a game.

It's fair to say the Jazz made the right decision here because Williams has shown that he is a work in progress. A little time in the G-League could be just what Williams needs to make his transition to the NBA a little smoother.

Drafting Williams should not be seen as a mistake (yet)

A few other instances have made the Williams' drafting look initially bad. First, Kyle Filipowski, the Jazz's second-round pick, has looked miles more NBA-ready than Williams has. Knowing where the Jazz picked them, it's harder to watch Williams since Filipowski has not only outplayed him but outplayed him badly.

What also hasn't helped is seeing Dalton Knecht, who the Los Angeles Lakers picked after the Jazz picked Williams, tear up the Jazz. Knecht is older and looks more like a veteran than Williams, so it's not a surprise that he looks better to start, but it is hard to see someone who the Jazz could have picked producing at a level that Williams has not yet.

Because of Williams' young age, it is way too early to call drafting him a mistake. Some players need time to feel themselves out in the NBA especially when they come into the league at the age Williams is.

Williams currently projects to be the most raw rookie the Jazz have had since Dante Exum. Even though Exum did not pan out the way the Jazz would have liked, much of that was due to injuries. This may be setting the bar high, but Williams could very well turn out to be the very player Exum's optimists hoped the former No. 4 pick would turn out to be.