THE Utah Jazz We enter the 2024-25 NBA season as a team without many expectations, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few overlooked players on the roster ready to make an impact this upcoming campaign.
Especially for a young team like the Jazz, who are unproven and lacking in experience, this team has the opportunity to see some surprises as the staff prepares to prioritize its youth movement. There may not be a 50-win season in Salt Lake City, but as this young core starts to get big minutes, there are a few names on the roster with room to grow to watch.
When determining which Jazz emerges as the team’s biggest X-factor during the 2024 NBA season, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report dismissed Taylor Hendricks as Utah’s top candidate, noting his strong defensive and rebounding ability that could keep him on the court for an extended period in Year 2:
“Taylor Hendricks hasn’t lived up to the promise that got him selected ninth overall last summer, but it would have been more shocking if he had. The 2.08-inch wing joins the Utah Jazz with unicorn status. If all goes well, he could become the rare three-man forward and a defensive player capable of protecting the basket as a shot blocker… Heading into his sophomore year, Hendricks can build on the elite blocking and solid rebounding he demonstrated as he entered Utah’s rotation after the All-Star break.”
– Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report
Hendricks is facing a significant opportunity in his second year that could be a turning point in his NBA career. The UCF product spent the first half of his rookie campaign as a G-League player with the Salt Lake City Stars, but when he emerged as a part of the NBA rotation later in life, he stood out as a productive, albeit limited, defender.
The Jazz rookie spent last season averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three-point range. With Hendricks entering his sophomore year ready to make the jump to a starting spot, we could see huge strides from the top-10 on both ends of the floor.
Expect Hendricks to enter the fold next season as the focal point of the Jazz’s rebuild, with the length and versatility to make plays as a two-way forward with enough space and time to evolve beyond just a three-and-D threat.
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