Jazz shore up perimeter defense with Cody Williams: Instant reaction with analysis
By Matt John
The Utah Jazz had plenty of options to choose from heading into the 2024 NBA Draft. While they could have traded up, down, or away, they ultimately came up with Cody Williams from the University of Colorado.
The Jazz had the league's very worst defense, ranking No. 30 in defensive rating. Williams will bring perimeter defense to a team that desperately needed an upgrade in that department. After Ochai Agbaji was not developing in the way the Jazz would have liked, which led to a trade, the Jazz roll the dice on another wing.
Cody Williams can play on both ends of the floor.
Williams also proved that he could stretch the floor, as he shot 41.5% from three, per Sports-Reference. Williams was not among the four players who Dan Lower suggested the Jazz take with No. 10, but he projects to be a potential high-end 3&D wing in an NBA that values that player archetype now more than ever.
Williams is the brother of budding star Jaylen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. For the Jazz's sake, let's hope the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.