Cody Williams‘ tenure with the Utah Jazz could be coming to an end.
In a recent Summer League game on July 12, 2026, Williams produced a lackluster stat line. In 23 minutes, Williams went 0-for-2 from the field with two rebounds, one assist and one steal.
His poor performance not only hurt teammate Darryn Peterson but also the team’s chances of winning. Peterson carried most of the offensive load throughout the game. This made the Jazz’s offense predictable and easy to read. All the Los Angeles Clippers needed to do was double-team Peterson. The guard needed another player to step up and help carry the offensive load.
Williams, entering his third year as an NBA player, should have the skills to step up and dominate the competition. However, he failed to showcase this. Every NBA player experiences a rough game. But to go completely quiet in a Summer League game is concerning.
Teammates Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, and Brice Sensabaugh have all taken over Summer League games and shown why they are NBA players. What concerns fans and pundits the most is that Williams is choosing to pass up opportunities to take over the game.
Williams Entered the League With No. 1 Pick Expectations
When Williams got drafted, many felt he could’ve gone No. 1. With such high potential, some pundits felt he equaled his brother Jalen Williams’s offensive game.
Sadly, Cody Williams had an abysmal first season. It got so bad that some talking heads felt the forward didn’t belong in the NBA.
Luckily for Williams, he showed major improvement in his second year. In the months of March and April, he averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.
That’s why a Summer League game where he did little to nothing makes fans and the front office raise their eyebrows. Again, a third-year player like Williams should be throwing his weight around a bit.
It’s evident that he’s not going to turn into a first option, so the forward must accept a new role to succeed.
Williams Must Beat Out Three Teammates for a Rotation Spot
If Williams wants to succeed, he must excel as an elite defender coming off the bench.
In order for him to do this, he must beat out fellow teammates Bez Mbeng, John Konchar, and Josh Okogie. Each of these players prioritizes passing and plays tenacious defense. What makes Okogie and Konchar tough competition is their experience. Meanwhile, Mbeng possesses high motor and consistency.
Besides defense, three-point shooting can set Williams apart from his peers. Historically the forward only hits 23.7% of his three-point shots. This puts him above Mbeng, but Okogie and Konchar are a few percentage points better.
This will be the most important training camp in Williams’ career. If he can solidify a spot in the rotation, there is a strong chance the Jazz re-sign him.
Williams’ Restricted Free Agency Adds Urgency
With Williams’ impending restricted free agency slowly creeping in, he will need to exceed the front office’s expectations. If he doesn’t, he’ll have to find a home on another NBA team via trade or free agency.
Luck could be on the forward’s side. He already showed last year his ability to thrive as a secondary playmaker and defender when needed, especially when other talent surrounds him.
With teammates like Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, and Svi Mykhailiuk around him taking pressure, Williams can work from the shadows and do his damage by cutting to the rim.
The story of Williams’ Jazz career continues, and many would like to see it end happily.
Leave a comment