Utah Jazz 2024 draft picks show value in loss to Rockets

The 2024 NBA draft was widely billed as one of the weakest in recent memory, lacking obvious franchise players at the top and featuring even less obvious talent outside the lottery.

While San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has emerged as the clear standout, early draft evaluations largely appear accurate.

Only a handful of players project as long-term starters; and outside of Castle, none look like future All-Stars.

Given the limited talent that has surfaced, the Jazz may have beaten the odds by landing Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, and Isaiah Collier.

Cody Williams’ first-ever 20/10 game.

As I’ve said before, I don’t know what his exact role is going forward, but his game is clearly moving in the right direction. pic.twitter.com/rdLwRsAMzp

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 4, 2026

Collier has not played since March 18 because of a hamstring injury, but he leads the 2024 draft class with an average of 6.7 assists per game and is one of only 12 players to average at least 10.0 points through the first two years of his career.

Williams’ numbers are not as eye-catching, but after a challenging rookie season, the 21-year-old has begun to show why he was taken in the lottery.

After scoring in double figures in just nine of his first 62 games as a sophomore, the Colorado product has reached double digits in 12 of his last 15 games, including six outings with at least 20 points.

Even before his 27-point, 11-rebound, four-assist effort against Houston, Williams was averaging 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over the last month’s worth of games, while shooting 48 from the floor.

Flip… TO FLIP 😳

that’s an A+ in improv 👏 pic.twitter.com/vzWfh7AIlF

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 4, 2026

Ironically, Filipowski — the latest of the Jazz’s three selections in 2024 — might end up as the biggest steal.

The 32nd overall pick has appeared in 147 games, the sixth-most among NBA sophomores, and ranks in the top 10 in scoring (10.4 points per game) and rebounds (6.6), while sitting 13th in assists (2.2).

The Duke product earned Las Vegas Summer League MVP honors in 2025, and appears to be a near lock to have his $3 million team option picked up this summer.

With Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler expected to make up next season’s starting lineup, plus another lottery pick likely arriving this summer, minutes could be difficult to find for the current group of Jazz sophomores.

However, given the high bust rate emerging from the 2024 draft class, Collier, Williams, and Filipowski have each shown tangible improvement during their time in Utah and may merit a closer look next season.

The Jazz likely did not land an All-Star with any of their three picks, but they appear to have avoided any clear misses, an outcome that looks better than average given the circumstances.