Offseason question #4: who is the keeper?

[babyjax13]

Time for offseason question #4: who is the keeper?

Utah has a lot of young players, and it really is not clear where we have keepers or not. The one young player who does look like a starting caliber player is Walker, so I have excluded him. Assume that one (no more, no less) of the players listed below becomes a starting caliber player. Who is it? Do you think it is likely that any become starters?

Prior questions
#1: should Lauri stay or go? https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=2454649
#2: what position are we weakest at? https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=2455126
#3: what style should we play? https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=2455378

[babyjax13]

TBH I feel fairly comfortable guessing that it is none of these guys. I think Keyonte is looking like a microwave 6th man like we've had for a while now (and I like those guys). Filipowski looks like a really nice bench change-of-pace center, and Sensabaugh looks like a bench shooter a la Malik Beasley, etc. Williams showed no redeeming qualities (not to say he can't develop), Collier might be a reasonable backup point guard but can't shoot ...

Out of this group I think Hendricks has a clearer path because he is a good defensive player and can shoot, so I'd bet on him, but he has no self-creation at all and not being able to attack defenses is not something you can usually have out of more than one player on the court at a time (usually your center, and I do actually think that he is a 4/5). I could see a world where a Hendricks/Filipowski starting frontcourt is possible if they reach their 100 percentile outcomes since they have complimentary skillsets.

[Inigo Montoya]

I selected Hendricks because of his defense and his versatility on that end. On offense he could live off of open looks, offensive rebounds and cuts to the basket. As long as he's good defensively, he could be a starter but it would also mean that the Jazz would need to have a really dynamic PG or SG. Also, if the Jazz get Flagg or Bailey, being a starter would be a much more difficult task for Hendricks unless Markkanen is traded.

[Catchall]

The most interesting young player the Jazz have right now is actually Filipowski. He handles, playmakes, rebounds and scores at three levels--makes 3s, shows mid-range touch, and finishes near the rim. He's got good balance, mobility and body control to adapt to make a variety of plays at 7'0"/ 240 lbs. He's not as fluid as a big like, say, Paolo Banchero, but he's not as stiff as Domantas Sabonis either. If he adds some strength, he'll start bullying guys.

He's got a clear path to becoming a 18p/9r/3.5a guy who makes over three 3PAs per game, playing 30 minutes a night.

Hendricks can be a 5th starter type in the mold of Dorian Finney-Smith, but we need to see what he looks like with the added weight. Everyone else is probably a backup.

[Inigo Montoya]

I think it's quite possible that Flip will have the best career out of all the Jazz's young players (I'm excluding old man Kessler).

[Catchall]

TBH I feel fairly comfortable guessing that it is none of these guys. I think Keyonte is looking like a microwave 6th man like we've had for a while now (and I like those guys). Filipowski looks like a really nice bench change-of-pace center, and Sensabaugh looks like a bench shooter a la Malik Beasley, etc. Williams showed no redeeming qualities (not to say he can't develop), Collier might be a reasonable backup point guard but can't shoot ...

Cody showed that he moves really well on defense. He has quick hands and decent reactions overall, such that he's able to keep up with and affect most 1s and 2s. He's also one of the Jazz's best at closing out on shooters. More strength will give him more physical presence, but he's actually off to a fairly good start on the defensive end.

It's on offense where he needs to re-invent himself. In college, he was able to use his length to beat guards and score at the rim. That isn't translating to the next level, since he's running into bigger, longer defenders. He's been exposed as a guy who can only score in certain spots on the floor, and his occasional slippery drive to the rim won't be enough to keep him involved in the offense. He needs to make his 3s, and he needs to make some pull-up jumpers off the dribble. Think Jaden McDaniels.

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[bkohler]

I think Hendricks has the best chance of being a starter in the league because his archetype is so valuable and his tools (defense and shooting) create a pretty high floor. I know there’s those that are down on him for the lack of self creation among other things but to me that’s what’s holding back his star potential not his starter potential. If all he does is knock down threes and play good defense he’ll start in this league for a long time. Think DFS in Dallas or how good he would look in MPJ spot in Denver right now.

Saying he’s going to be a good starter and maybe max out at that might disappoint but I think he can be a super valuable building block long term, especially if extension talks go well because of his injury / lack of development.

I think the next best opportunity is Sensabaugh. His shooting is a real skill and again it’s an archetype that just fits well into the current game where as someone like Flip had a harder time fitting as seamlessly.

I’m 100% out on Keyonte personally. I’d move him this offseason.

[red4hf]

I think Flip has the best chance due to his shooting/passing ability.......

[Inigo Montoya]

I think may have an Olynyk-type career, which is pretty good for a second round pick.

[bkohler]

I think may have an Olynyk-type career, which is pretty good for a second round pick.

Think there’s a good chance he settles into a solid bench contributor on a decent team. I just think it’s unlikely he’s a starter on a competitive team.

[HadAnEffectHere]

TBH I feel fairly comfortable guessing that it is none of these guys. I think Keyonte is looking like a microwave 6th man like we've had for a while now (and I like those guys). Filipowski looks like a really nice bench change-of-pace center, and Sensabaugh looks like a bench shooter a la Malik Beasley, etc. Williams showed no redeeming qualities (not to say he can't develop), Collier might be a reasonable backup point guard but can't shoot ...

Cody showed that he moves really well on defense. He has quick hands and decent reactions overall, such that he's able to keep up with and affect most 1s and 2s. He's also one of the Jazz's best at closing out on shooters. More strength will give him more physical presence, but he's actually off to a fairly good start on the defensive end.

It's on offense where he needs to re-invent himself. In college, he was able to use his length to beat guards and score at the rim. That isn't translating to the next level, since he's running into bigger, longer defenders. He's been exposed as a guy who can only score in certain spots on the floor, and his occasional slippery drive to the rim won't be enough to keep him involved in the offense. He needs to make his 3s, and he needs to make some pull-up jumpers off the dribble. Think Jaden McDaniels.

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Cody is so horrible at help defense, rebounding, and defending stronger players that it's hard to envision him as even slightly effective as a defender in the NBA.

If you're one of the worst rebounders and shot blockers in the NBA and don't get steals and can't defend strong guys... I don't know what your role really could be as a good defender.

I think he just ends up as a 12th man for OKC to be a cheerleader.