Predict Kyle Filipowski to Start in Jazz G-League

The Utah Jazz rookies are shining in this year’s Summer League. First-round picks Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier have exceeded early expectations, but what about second-round pick out of Duke, Kyle Filipowski? Filipowski was once a projected first-round pick, but fell to the second round to the rebuilding Jazz.

Typically, second-round picks spend the majority of their rookie campaigns in the G League, but Filipowski has a chance to crack the rotation in his first year with a team that’s still figuring itself out. Filipowski brings a skill set that fits well in this system in the five-out offense the Jazz like to employ.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge also wants big men who can shoot the ball and spread the floor. In his 2023 postseason press conference, Ainge told Jazz fans what specifically he’s looking for in Utah’s rebuilding roster.

“I would say, maybe, shooting with size. There are many different ways to win in this league. I would say shooting that we can use.”

While Filipowski isn’t considered an elite shooter at this stage of his career, he has shown he can make shots from deep. In his final season at Duke, he made 34.8 percent of his three-pointers, attempting 3.4 threes per game. In Wednesday’s 86-76 win over the Toronto Raptors, Filipowski had his best game as a pro, scoring 20 points on 9 of 16 shots from the field.

The Summer League offers a small sample size, but Filipowski gives Jazz fans a glimpse into why Utah drafted him in the second round. Jazz fans saw firsthand how losing Kelly Olynyk hurt their bottom line last season. Filipowski’s ceiling is developing into a similar player, albeit more athletic.

It’s also good to be selected by a franchise still searching for an identity, for a player who wasn’t a first-round pick. Filipowski spoke about the opportunity in Salt Lake City in his introductory press conference.

“I’m just happy to be surrounded by these people. I think it’s a great organization, filled with a very welcoming group. It’s a group that’s ready to learn (and) ready to put in the time and energy, and I’m just happy to be a part of that process with them.”

So, will Filipowski start the year with the Jazz or the Salt Lake City Stars? As it stands, he’s the fourth center on the depth chart behind John Collins, Walker Kessler and Drew Eubanks. However, he has the versatility to play the power forward position, and there could be more minutes available there.

Sophomore Jazzman Taylor Hendricks is slated to start at four, with Bryce Sensabaugh listed as a reserve. If Sensabaugh recovers from his finger injury, a stint with the Stars is the most likely outcome. If Hardy starts the season with a 10-man rotation, Filipowski would be sidelined.

The path to live NBA reps will likely be similar to what Hendricks and Sensabaugh went through last year. That said, the young prospect’s performances in this year’s Summer League have been solid so far, and we should expect to see him on the big club later in the season.

To follow Within the Jazz on Facebook And Twitter/XAnd subscribe on youtube for current jazz news videos and live streams!