Taking Stock of Taylor Hendricks' Rookie Season With Jazz

Hendricks is averaging 4.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 stocks (steals and blocks) in just 13.9 minutes per game in the big league. He’s shooting just 39.7% from the floor and 34.3% from deep, but it’s a very small sample size. 

A Solid 7-Game Display

In early December, Hendricks cracked the rotation for a seven-game stretch during which injuries plagued the Jazz. During this time, those numbers bumped up to 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 stocks per game in a little over 18 minutes per night. Taylor looked increasingly comfortable in those minutes, which gave me confidence that he could slide into the rotation if a spot were to open up for him.

In the G-League, Hendricks has registered a very productive 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, an assist, and 2.3 stocks per game; he’s shot the ball much better, registering splits of 46.5% FG, 37.0% 3P, and 76.7% FT.

Experimenting as a Scorer

Unsurprisingly, over 80% of Hendricks’ field goals have been assisted in the G-League. While he’s not much of a creator with the ball in his hands, he has shown some flashes of putting the ball on the floor and either scoring, drawing a foul, or making a nice read as a passer. 

Although it’s still a work in progress, spending time in the G-League has likely given Hendricks more autonomy to experiment as a playmaker.

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While he’s more raw than many projected before the draft, Hendricks’ skill set still points to being a valuable supporting piece going forward. At 6-foot-9, and with the defensive instincts and athleticism that he possesses, Hendricks is going to be impactful on that end. 

Versatility at the 4 & 5 Spot

He also gives the Jazz the versatility to slide between the 4 and the 5. With the NBA continuing to move towards space and skill, having guys like Hendricks who can defend the rim defensively and also knock down threes on offense is intriguing.

The catch-and-shoot ability that Hendricks possesses is rare for a big. He knocked down 39% of his deep balls in college and is now shooting at a high clip in the G-League as well. 

On top of his shooting, I’m also intrigued with how the Jazz could use him as a rim roller — Hendricks has the athleticism to finish lobs above the rim, and his inside-out ability could put a lot of pressure on defenses.

The Takeaway

With the trade deadline closing in, it’s plausible that the Jazz make a move to clear the deck for Hendricks. If that is the case, look for Hendricks to make an immediate impact on the defensive end of the court. 

Similar to his stints earlier in the year, he should be able to bother opposing players with his length, athleticism, and effort on that end. Offensively, I buy the shot, and I’m excited to watch how he develops as a scorer. We just have to hope we’re able to see him sooner rather than later.

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