The Jazz didn’t just lose a player when Walker Kessler went down for the season; they lost their defensive anchor, their interior presence, and a guy who erases possessions with perfect timing.
But with Kessler out, Utah has a golden opportunity to see exactly who Kyle Filipowski could be.
As the Jazz weigh their center options, new bettors can maximize wagers on these lineup decisions using exclusive booking codes from top sportsbooks like BetMGM or FanDuel for bonus bets on NBA rookie performances.
What’s the Difference?
Will Hardy has been at the helm for a few years now, and one thing about him has become increasingly obvious: his will to win.
Hardy is clearly aware that the Jazz are still in a rebuild, but he isn’t handing out minutes just for development’s sake. He’s starting the players he believes give Utah the best chance to win here and now. Because of this, Jusuf Nurkic has continued to get the nod as the starting center.
However, Kyle Filipowski and Nurkic have put up nearly identical stats, with the only noticeable difference being rebounds per game. Despite this, Nurkic gives Utah a better chance to win, but we already know who Jusuf Nurkic is — an average stretch five who struggles defensively. Same as Filipowski.
So why should Filipowski start over Nurkic? The answer is potential.
How the Timelines Match
When comparing the 7-footers to each other, they are statistically indistinguishable. That makes the next logical difference maker between the two their intangibles.
Nurkic is 31, and it’s extremely unlikely that he gets any better than he is right now. That’s why the 22-year-old Filipowski needs to start.
It’s not because he’s better now, it’s because he has the time and the tools to become better. Let’s not forget that he’s already proven he has a ridiculous upside, winning summer league MVP earlier this year.
Offense and Playstyle
Utah has a relatively simple — albeit effective — gameplan: space the floor, open the paint, and move the ball around the arc. When Nurkic is in, it feels like he’s playing a role he was never meant to. But for Filipowski, its a completely different story.
He clearly has a lot to improve on, but when watching the way he plays, its like he was specifically designed to play this brand of basketball. Afterall, he’s a seven-footer who: stretches the floor, attacks defenders off the dribble, makes the extra pass, and keeps the ball moving instead of clogging the lane.
Those traits matter for a Jazz roster that struggles with spacing when Kessler or the other bigs are on the court. With Filipowski potentially unlocking better offensive flow, savvy bettors should eye NBA picks favoring Utah’s over on team points in upcoming matchups, especially against slower bigs.
The Jazz can run five-out sets, use him as a trailer in transition, and involve him in pick-and-pop actions that pull opposing centers out of the paint.
He’s a perfect offensive fit with the way Will Hardy wants this team to play.
Defense and Development
This is where Filipowski becomes even more important.
We already know who the veteran bigs are. They’re reliable guys who can give 10–20 minutes a game, but they aren’t going to become defensive masterminds over night.
Filipowski, however, has some defensive potential that just needs time, reps, and real NBA responsibility. It’s overtly obvious that he isn’t an elite defender, he might not even be average. Still, we’ve seen flashes before, and with his instincts as a help defender, natural timing, and above-average mobility, there is a chance he could become a real rim deterrer.
None of that is polished yet, but it can be, which is something that cannot be said about the Jazz’s other centers.
The only thing standing between Kyle Filipowski and becoming a viable two-way NBA center is experience. Letting him learn now is infinitely more valuable than stability from veterans that won’t be here long-term.
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