Cody Williams NBA draft projections: 5 teams probable to pick Buffaloes freshman
The upcoming NBA draft isn't nearly as hyped up as last year's, but the current class is no slouch with guys like Cody Williams set to make the jump to the pros. He may not be like Victor Wembanyama from last year or Chet Holmgren from 2022, but he's an intriguing prospect.
The Colorado Buffaloes freshman stands at 6-foot-8 and is capable of impacting the game on offense and defense. He established himself as a reliable presence at CU, where he started 18 of the 24 games he played.
During his lone college season, he showed NBA scouts that he could make an impact in the league. As such, he is projected to be taken in the lottery.
Here are a few teams where Cody Williams could land.
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5 NBA teams that could draft Cody Williams
#1, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are badly in need of a rebuild. Their current core of talent isn't good enough to compete for a title, and they don't have enough assets to create a blockbuster trade that would propel them to contender status.
What better way to start their rebuild than by taking Cody Williams, who can develop into a two-way star under the right mentorship? The chances of him immediately resuscitating the franchise are slim but it's a step in the right direction.
#2, Atlanta Hawks
Whether the Atlanta Hawks want to blow up their roster and start anew or stick with their core and improve it remains to be seen. Regardless of what they choose to do, taking Cody Willams could help them.
If the Hawks trade one of their All-Star guards, then Williams can be inserted into the lineup to make way for the development of a new dynamic duo. If they decide to keep both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, then the Colorado freshman can benefit from having two capable playmakers to set him up.
Having a point guard to rely on also addresses one of his weaknesses, which is his tendency to turn the ball over.
#3, Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings' elimination from playoff contention in the play-in tournament is a sign that their lack of defense just won't cut it in the league.
They can address that by adding a young prospect who can immediately make an impact as a plus-defender. On offense, he has range and will benefit from being set up by De'Aaron Fox or Domantas Sabonis.
Cody Williams can make an immediate impact with the Kings. The fit seems perfect based on Sacramento's needs, and just like with the Hawks, his turnovers won't become too much of an issue.
#4, Portland TrailBlazers
Cody Williams fits the Portland Trail Blazers' timeline perfectly. Unlike with the Kings or the Hawks, where he'll have pressure to make an immediate impact, he can take his time and develop with another rebuilding team that has several young talents.
The Trail Blazers are nowhere near being a contending team in the stacked Western Conference. Taking Williams and allowing him to grow next to their collection of young talent is an ideal situation for both parties, which sets them up as potential contenders filled with homegrown talent several seasons down the line.
#5, OKC Thunder
The OKC Thunder have a formidable core, but adding another prospect that could help them establish a dynasty is never a bad idea. Due to their war chest of draft picks they've accumulated over the years, they have a chance at a lottery pick this season.
Cody Williams already has some ties to the Thunder organization since his brother Jalen plays for OKC. Having brothers play together on the same team can do wonders for their development, and playing with a team that knows what to do with young prospects is a huge advantage for Cody.
Cody Williams' college stats and strengths
In the 24 games that he played in college, Cody Williams averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. His traditional defensive stats don't stand out, but his defensive impact isn't the type that is obvious on the box score.
He has the length and the athleticism that will allow him to contest shots at an NBA level, and he has shown through his effort in college that he can be relied upon on this end.
In terms of shooting the ball efficiently, Cody Williams is right up there with the best. He made 55.2% of his shots while averaging 8.1 attempts per game. He can easily get to the rim and do a lot of damage close to the basket, and he's a decent 3-point shooter as well, averaging 41.5%, and with the right team and the right coaching, that can easily translate into the pros.
His assist-to-turnover ratio is a cause for concern. Averaging 2.0 turnovers per game while only dishing 1.6 assists is not a pretty sight, but in an NBA team that has other playmakers, this weakness can be mitigated and worked on.
Williams is not the most flawless prospect, but he has all the tools and the body that makes him an intriguing prospect. However, with the lottery order still not set, fans and analysts can only speculate which teams could draft him.