THE Utah Jazz looking for the long term. They said it with their actions at the trade deadline the last two seasons. 13 months ago, they traded Mike Conley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to get a protected future top-four pick from the Los Angeles Lakers that immediately turns into two second-round picks if he doesn’t trade. Then, about a month ago, Jazz traded veterans like Simone Fontecchio and Kelly Olynyk to get a first-round pick (via the Oklahoma City Thunder or Los Angeles Clippers) and the Washington Wizards’ second-round pick. They did this in part to give their younger players like Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks more valuable reps and playing time to close out the season. These are the two players to watch in the final month of the 2023-24 campaign for Jazz fans.
Keyonte George, guard
Keyonte George has already been a pillar in the Jazz rotation for a while, and for good reason. The 6-4, 185-pound guard from Baylor entered the NBA with a reputation as a scorer, but his playmaking was his main calling card during his rookie season. George averages 4.4 assists per game to just 2.1 turnovers. His number of assists climbs to 6.2 per 36 minutes. He knows how to read the field and take what the defense gives him in the Utah offense.
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers
– Keyonte George’s playmaking is at a level that no one expects.
– I’m looking forward to seeing John Collins play with soltura
– Skylar Mays assists the king
– If you see a Bouyea you can enjoy the basquet and you will see pic.twitter.com/z1TKIdLwKq– Saint Sylvestre (@SantiSilvestre7) November 15, 2023
However, the score and efficiency have not yet arrived for George. He’s shooting just 39.3 percent from the field and has a lackluster 49.1 percent completion percentage. But things are improving. George has posted a 44.4% field goal percentage since Feb. 1 and is shooting well above 40% from three with robust volume (around seven attempts from deep per game) during that span. He put it all together this weekend against the Miami Heat in what might be his best game as an NBA player thus far.
Keyonte George tonight
31 points
4 rebounds
4 assists
12-23 FG
pic.twitter.com/eXojuiIliD-Teg???? (@IQfor3) March 3, 2024
George is quietly putting things together in what has already been a wildly successful rookie season for the 16th overall pick. He won’t have control over the offense until the end of the season. What he does with it will definitely be worth watching.
Taylor Hendricks, forward
Taylor Hendricks generated a lot of hype during his lone season at UCF. His play in Orlando made the hype interesting. He did things that only future top ten picks and potential stars did as freshmen.
Taylor Hendricks is the only NCAA freshman recorded since 2008 with a BLK% of 5, 60 made threes and 30 dunks. If you cut the three into HALF, you still only get these big major players.
Chet Holmgren
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jarace Walker
Jonathan Isaac
Isaiah Austin–Brian (@BrianJNBA) March 22, 2023
Unfortunately for him and the Jazz, he simply hasn’t seen the court very often for a multitude of reasons. Utah entered the season with a deep frontcourt consisting of Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Walker Kessler, Kelly Olynyk, Simone Fontecchio and Hendricks himself. All except Kessler can play multiple positions in the frontcourt. Pair that with the fact that not only is Hendricks entering the NBA as a rookie, but he’s also dealing with injuries along the way and it’s easy to see how he got lost in the shuffle early on.
But he’s starting to see the field now after the Olynyk and Fontecchio trades and making the most of his opportunities. He starts alongside Markkanen and Collins in the frontcourt to give Utah a huge frontcourt that can also spread the floor on offense and protect the rim on defense. Hendricks’ shooting ability helps Utah spread the floor and make him a threat off the rebound.
TAYLOR HENDRICKS GOES JUST BEYOND WEMBY AND YAMS IT pic.twitter.com/LRMmpOk1Zq
– Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) February 26, 2024
But defense is where Hendricks will likely hang his hat in the NBA. He was a staunch defender and rim protector in college. He still has room for improvement, but he’s also defended Victor Wembanyama as well as anyone in recent months.
Taylor Hendricks showed super impressive defensive flashes against Spurs and Wembanyama
Wemby wasn’t able to punish him on a ton of post-ups, he guarded well enough to create time for defensive help
Taylor’s defensive ceiling is high pic.twitter.com/mADjSnC9fZ
– Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) February 27, 2024
Utah is playing for the future, not the present. With players like Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks and a treasure trove of draft picks to play with, that future continues to shine after each passing day.
About the Author
Shervon Fakhimi was born and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is a columnist at ClutchPoints. He is a huge sports fan who really likes the Los Angeles Lakers, Green Bay Packers, and Arkansas Razorbacks.
