The Utah Jazz were dealt a massive blow not too long into the season following Walker Kessler's season-ending shoulder surgery. Much has been discussed about what this means for his free agency or what the Jazz will miss with him gone. Not much has been talked about the one Jazzman who could be given the opportunity to break out from this: Kyle Filipowski.
Filipowski was a pleasant surprise for the Jazz last season, proving himself to be more or less the whole package offensively. Defensively, it was a whole other story. For Filipowski to elevate himself to a full-time starter, he will be tasked with improving on that end of the floor.
This season has not gone as well as many had anticipated for Filipowski to start. He got the starter's nod, but it only took five games for him to lose in favor of Taylor Hendricks. Eight games into the season, he's averaging 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 38% from the field and 31.8% from three.
Coming off a season where it felt like he wasn't getting enough opportunities, yet still made the most of them, it feels like this season has trended in the opposite direction for him. Kessler's absence should give him more chances to reassert himself while also showcasing his improved individual defense.
Filipowski may struggle in a bigger role, but that shouldn't matter
Filipowski is not the same player as Kessler, and if he were, the Kessler situation would become significantly more complicated. However, he has the chance to fill the void left by Kessler in his own way. Odds are, Filipowski may never be a rim protector, but that doesn't mean he can't show himself to be a plus defender with enough time and development.
If he's able to find his shot again, or better yet, regain his groove in Utah's offense, that could offset much of what the Jazz lost with Kessler. That would depend on how much Filipowski improves. Sophomore slumps are pretty common in the NBA, and among the biggest culprits of it was, as all Jazz fans know, Kessler.
Because Filipowski is going through some growing pains, it wouldn't be surprising if he struggles at first in a bigger role. Players who surprised fans and analysts alike in their rookie year, like Kessler and Filipowski both did, have to adjust when other teams gameplan for them with more knowledge of how they play.
Now that the opposition knows more about Filipowski, they will play him out of his comfort zone, and it will be on him to adjust. It isn't a big deal, though, because even if the Jazz are playing harder this season, it's not like they're going to fret should they lose more games.
Between trying to beat what the defense throws at him, along with trying to assert himself more as a defender with Kessler out, this season could get a whole lot more interesting for Filipowski.