Why Did Utah Give Up On Cody Williams So FAST?
Cody Williams entered the NBA as the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a five-star prospect with size, length, upside and an NBA bloodline. Just two seasons later, the Utah Jazz have already moved on.
So what happened?
In this episode of Stunted Growth, we look at Cody Williams’ rise from elite high school prospect to Colorado, why Utah believed he was worth a lottery pick, his struggles finding a clear NBA identity, and why the Jazz ultimately decided to trade him at only 21 years old.
Was Cody Williams simply drafted too high based on potential? Did Utah give up too soon? Or will a fresh start with the Minnesota Timberwolves finally unlock the player scouts thought he could become? Why Did Utah Give Up On Cody Williams So FAST?
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Chapters
Once you have the final timestamps, I’d format them:
0:00 Intro
1:53 History
3:35 Drafting The Projection Instead Of The Player
6:08 Still Searching For His NBA Identity
8:34 Utah Gave Up On The Cody Williams Project
11:06 Conclusion
If you enjoy deep dives into forgotten NBA stars, basketball history, legendary “what if” stories, and the untold moments that shaped the game, be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications for more Stunted Growth features every week.
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Can Cody Williams turn things around in Minnesota? Or is his potential something that's always been overstated? More content on Stunted Growth Music: Saweetie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CExDtUn8mT0
I believe the possibility of Utah giving up on him too fast is high. There is a chance that he can still become better than his brother because he has more tools, the tools just aren't as good right now.
They drafted him in hopes of he would turn out like his brother. Other organizations don't really do that with sibling NBA players.
Do my brother in law Ansu Sesay
Kind of like Jeff and Marcus Teague, Marcus was the better player in high school but Jeff was by far the better Nba player. Marcus had more hype after winning the Ncaa championship with Anthony Davis.
Great move he going to have a great year this year new team new energy UTAH is cooked that city should not have a basketball team doesn't fit culture anymore football or hockey or baseball better fit
no he just isn’t good. drafted way too high. if he was a late 1st/early second round pick he’d be a solid selection. but being a lottery pick and as bad as he was in his first 2 years was an awful selection.
120 games played, at least 1/2 starts. Sure he's raw but he did get a good shot. It's not like he was buried on the bench. Just didn't show enough. Utah has George, Bailey, Peterson on top of having Markannen all going to featured and with Williams rookie contract winding down (has one season left after this one) Utah did the right thing for them and Williams. Williams will get a chance for major consistent minutes for the Twolves and up his value (he's only got Kuminga ahead on paper who isn't great so there is a way for him or Shannon Jr to get big minutes 3), the Jazz get an expiring vet contract and can focus on developing Bailey and Peterson
He really aint show nothing really at Colorado couldnt see why he was drafted so high maybe off his brother
He was already mid before they drafted him
It’s less of a Williams thing and more of a DANNY AINGE issue. Ainge gives ZERO FXKS about developing young talent unless they’re GENERATIONAL. The second they start to slip he ships em outta there.
Game doesn’t look smooth at all.
Utah trash they did him a huge favor by not wasting his time and talent they don’t have the staff to develop stars and superstars.
As a Celtics fan, Ainge does not draft well (besides JB, JT, and Smart) Had a lot of 1st Rd busts proven that hoarding picks doesn't work (2016 Celtics picked two euros both busts Yabusele and Zizic, Romeo and Nesmith). yes he hit with keyonte and Filipkowski but Cody and Hendricks are busts.
He had no basketball I.Q. Just a tall ,long and soft dude. Being tall doesn't make you professional basketball material.
Dude is soft. He didn't do anything really well neither. He lacks heart and hunger.
Craig Smith Boston College
If your offense is crap you better be elite on defense and the kid is a soft defender.
The tanking raised his value, but given to a scary and close team Utah messed up
Fast?! He DISAPPEARED in Vegas preseason once again. In his 3rd year!! He got more playing time second half of last year to tank. Check out his stats. What a silly question!