As more time passes, it becomes abundantly clear that the Utah Jazz hit a home run by drafting Kyle Filipowski. Because the Jazz are holding guys out because of "injuries", Filipowski has been given more time to shine, and he's run with it.
In the past month, he's put up five double-doubles. Since February 3, Filipowski has been averaging 12.7 points, seven rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 56.5% from the field and 51% from three. Perhaps the most telling statistic in all of this is that he's putting up these numbers in 21.2 minutes a game.
In fact, during that span, when the Jazz have given him a lot of playing time, he thrived. Filipowski's game log since February strongly indicates that he can produce excellent scoring outputs when given more time.
What does this all point to? That the Jazz need to see in full what they have with Filipowski. In other words, he's played well enough that it'd be downright foolish not to give him a bigger role from here on out.
Filipowski proved from the get-go that with him, the Jazz had a modern rotation big man who knows how to play the game the right way through his floor spacing and passing abilities. As the season has progressed, his role has fluctuated, which wasn't his fault.
The Jazz wanted to showcase John Collins and Drew Eubanks to interested suitors. While they succeeded with Eubanks (and then some), they couldn't quite close the deal with Collins despite their best efforts. Because the deadline has passed and the Jazz are embracing the tank, Filipowski has only built on the bigger role they've given him since.
With the Jazz embracing the tank, Filipowski will likely get the bigger role he deserves as the Jazz go all-in on their tanking efforts. More importantly, it shouldn't end there. Utah would risk stunting Filipowski's growth if they revert him to what his old role was, which is counterproductive in a rebuild.
in Filipowski, Utah found a big man who could play a big part in a glorious future as long as they make sure he plays. The best part is, his impressive play hasn't gotten in the way of the Jazz's plans, so they can afford to see what they have with Filipowski and not compromise their tanking plans.
It'd be hard to find anyone who disagrees with the notion that Filipowski should be playing more because he's deserved it. However, there could be complications.
What would Filipowski's increased role mean for the other Jazz bigs?
Despite Utah's struggles, it's become pretty clear how loaded their frontcourt is. Filipowski, Collins, Walker Kessler, and KJ Martin are all bigs well-deserving of minutes. It doesn't end there. Micah Potter and Oscar Tshiebwe have talent too, and lest we forget, Taylor Hendricks will probably be back next season itching to prove what he's got.
Filipowski has proven that he should spend more time on the court and less time on the bench, but whose minutes get slashed because of him?
Of all the bigs that Filipowski's rise could impact, the one it shouldn't affect at all is Kessler. Kessler and Filipowski could actually be a legitimately awesome pairing. Filipowski's offensive prowess and shooting could be the yin to the yang of Kessler's rim protection and dominance on the offensive boards.
However, increasing Filipowski's role will likely incentivize the Jazz to trade Collins further this offseason. It will also make them consider what to do with Markkanen, who will be trade-eligible once the season ends.
Filipowski will likely have a better career than Martin, Potter, and Tshiebwe, though the jury is still out on Hendricks until he returns to the floor. That will make Utah wonder how best to manage their other young big men. Things might get even more complicated if, hypothetically, the Jazz wind up with Cooper Flagg.
Having too many mouths to feed in their frontcourt is a good problem for the Jazz to have. They have time to figure out how to manage their young talent. One of the primary factors in doing a rebuild the right way is ensuring their young talent live up to their promise.
Filipowski is showing exactly why the Jazz should have faith in him. While he deserves a bigger role, the Jazz also have to think about who doesn't.