We're running out of ways to say, "What an improvement from Cody Williams!" because it's hard not to like what the Utah Jazz youngster has been able to do in the face of legitimate doubt in his NBA future.
Williams has shown a variety of skills that have drawn praise. His defense has looked legitimate. His cutting has been a weapon. His mid-range shot has shown promise. As the Jazz have given him a bigger role, he's proven that his development is worth their time. There's only one element left that will make him among their most integral pieces for next season: three-point shooting
For all of the impressive steps Williams has taken after an extremely concerning rookie season, a dependable three-pointer is the last step towards him becoming the weapon they want him to be. Unfortunately, not only has he not been a good three-point shooter, but he's also regressed on that front.
He shot nearly 26% from three last season, which is as subpar as it gets, and this season, it fell even further to 22%. Utah doesn't typically depend on Williams to shoot threes. Part of why he's evolved as well as he has is allowing him to play in the spots he's most comfortable with, but with the playoffs in their sights next season, they will ask him to start playing in more uncomfortable spots.
For him, that will be the three-point line. Opponents are going to dare him to beat them from three and will ignore him until he proves them wrong. With the offensive firepower at Utah's disposal next season, Williams is bound to get quite a few open threes next season.
The Jazz's success will depend on how consistently he can make them. The downfall of several contenders has been their lack of spacing, and Williams' development may prevent Utah from having the same fate.
If he can add that, then it will become clear Utah knew what they were doing when they drafted him in 2024.
It's not the end of the world if it never comes
Even though it's almost a foregone conclusion that opponents will dare Utah to beat them with Cody Williams three-pointers, it's not like they can't work around that if he can't make them pay. They still have Svi Mykhailiuk, and they may use their $15.1 MLE on a two-way player who can hit some shots.
Utah has quite a few players ahead of Williams in their hierarchy, so it's not like their lnog-term hopes ride on him. It would just make them harder to stop if Williams could be a floor spacer. However, they will settle for Williams becoming a dependable rotation player.
In fact, all cards on the table, it's ridiculous to put this kind of pressure on Williams when it's already a big enough deal that he's progressed into becoming an NBA player when many had already concluded that that was already out of the question.
Asking him to become even better isn't fair, but man, it would be a game-changer if he could!