Don't look back, because Cody Williams isn't about to elevate his play with the Timberwolves.
Buyer's remorse, or rather seller's remorse in the case of the Utah Jazz, is the biggest drawback to trading away young prospect Cody Williams to the Minnesota Timberwolves. At just 21 years of age, Williams had a rocky two seasons in Utah while burdened by the pressure of living up to a top-10 pick's expectations.
Williams wasn't a top-10 prospect in the traditional sense. Selected 10th overall in the notoriously talent-deficient NBA draft class of 2024, his pre-draft evaluations are probably more consistent with a player in the range of the mid to late teens.
The draft's talent curve is sharp, and Williams got cut.
In two years with the Jazz, Williams' production and involvement in the Jazz's offense were variable. At times, especially post All-Star break in his sophomore year, Williams appeared poised, confident, and aggressive as he'd attack the rim with intention and finish with impressive athleticism.
But the shining moments were pin points in the night sky. Cody Williams on a good night could deliver 15 points or so on solid efficiency. On a bad night, though, he may not put up a single point despite 20 or more minutes played.
Following Cody Williams was an uneven ride in Utah, and after an uninspiring third swing at the Summer League Circuit, the Jazz had clearly seen enough, trading him away in return for Josh Green, a bench wing who averaged fewer than 5 points per game in Charlotte last season.
So the question for the anxious among us becomes: will the Jazz regret letting Cody go?
I'm not so sure they will.
One could point to Taylor Hendricks' spike in production since joining the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline a season ago -- likewise for his teammate Walter Clayton Jr., who was also packaged in the deal that brought Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah.
After disappointing years with the Jazz, both Hendricks and Clayton enjoyed the benefit of a magnified role on a tanking team. More minutes, more production. With shooting efficiency nearly identical since the trade deadline, both players still have work to do before the Jazz kick themselves over acquiring an All-Star candidate.
And though Williams only yielded a role player and a bundle of cash, his role with the Timberwolves could remain incredibly limited behind a depth chart stuffed with talent out on the wing.
Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Donte Divincenzo, and Jonathan Kuminga will all get more minutes in the rotation than Williams, whose option might not be picked up by a Timberwolves team in the business of playoff contention, not youth development. This is the do-or-die moment for Williams, a player whose NBA future could come down to impressing in Minnesota, or fading away at the end of the bench.
