Kyle Filipowski has been on one for the Utah Jazz lately. For the second straight season, it feels like he's saved his best for last. Many are making a big deal of the string of 20-point games, but the truth is, he has been feeling it since February.
Since February 3, Filipowski has averaged 15 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals a game while shooting nearly 52% from the field and 33.7% from three. Those aren't just good numbers; those are starter numbers. There's only one problem: the Jazz's presumed frontcourt logjam will prevent Filipowski from spreading his wings.
The Jaren Jackson Jr. trade already made Filipowski's future in Utah uncertain, but their offseason plans only enhance the uncertainty, with all indications being that they plan to keep Walker Kessler and Jusuf Nurkic.
JJJ, Kessler, Nurkic, and Lauri Markkanen are four players who will want a good chunk of playing time, which calls Filipowski's role into question. He might be in the doghouse for reasons out of his control. He deserves time to play on the floor, but when Utah is fully healthy next season, how is that going to consistently happen?
While a trade seems like the pretty straightforward option, Filipowski has been good enough that the Jazz shouldn't dump him, especially with his team-friendly rookie deal lasting an additional two years when a new window is about to start.
Working out a trade involving Filipowski would be difficult
Filipowski deserves the chance to further prove to the league what he can do, but it's becoming harder to see how that's going to happen while he's a Jazzman. A trade is logical, but Utah shouldn't be trading him for assets but rather see how they can get an upgrade and/or someone who fits them better.
That's tough to orchestrate because of his inexpensive rookie deal. It would take other factors at play to get it done and the Jazz would have to ask themselves if they are getting truly equal value out of it.
Utah would have an embarrassment of riches on their hands, and they might simply just roll it back to put the youngster in more of a "stay-ready" group. But will he be okay with that after how well he's played in an expanded role?
In case anyone has forgotten, the Jazz trotted a three-man lineup of Filipowski, Kessler, and Markkanen that was doing wonders on the floor before Kessler's season-ending shoulder surgery. It's possible that keeping Filipowski could simply make Utah all the harder to stop if they bring that lineup back.
But it's fair to believe that he will want more after what he's shown, which could be a problem for the Jazz. It's also fair to believe that with Utah's situation about to do a 180, an interested party may be willing to pay up for Filipowski before it becomes a problem.
There's a solid chance the Jazz may enter a world of paradise next season, but how they handle Filipowski could cause some trouble in paradise.