Ex-Jazz Assistant Predicts Whether Taylor Hendricks is a Day-1 Starter

Now that the NBA draft is in the rearview mirror, Utah Jazz fans have a clearer picture of what the 2022-23 roster looks like as we approach the new year. However, getting closure on the draft front begs a question regarding lottery pick Taylor Hendricks.

Does Hendricks get the nod over veteran Kelly Olynyk as a day-one starter?

The question came up when ex-Jazz assistant coach Gordie Chiesa joined ESPN 700’s The Bill Riley Show.

“I think he’s going to come off the bench to start with right now,” Chiesa told Riley. “The reason why is that he’s all legs. You see his body—he needs upper body density. He needs it, which all young guys do, so let me preface saying this. But he’s all legs—he’s lanky, he’s a quick jumper, and he can make shots— 39.4% from three last year. Also, he’s a really good shot blocker—vastly underrated. So I’m leaning towards him coming off the bench right now.”

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. That said, Hendricks starting out of the gates doesn’t bode well when looking at previous high draft picks for the Jazz.

Utah selected Dante Exum in the lottery in 2014, but didn’t allow the No. 5 overall pick to start until the 35th game of the season.
Enus Freedom started zero games his rookie year, even though he was the no. 3 overall pick in 2011.
In 2005 Deron Williams was picked No. 3 overall but only started 47 out of 80 games played. The three-time All-Star wasn’t inserted into the starting lineup until the ninth game of the season.
Donovan Mitchell started only three of his first 11 games as a Jazzman. Mitchell became a permanent fixture as a starter at game 12.
Gordon Hayward started 17-of-72 games in his rookie campaign, with his first opportunity at game seven.

All of this starting chatter could be a moot point if Utah doesn’t pick up Olynyk’s option year, but according to Chiesa, that is likely to happen.

“I assume the Jazz are going to opt in and take him,” Chiesa told Riley.

Despite the most likelihood of Hendricks beginning the season on the bench this season, there will still be an opportunity to receive starter minutes. The Jazz are still rebuilding and can afford to go through some growing pains with all three of their first-round picks.

Also, with where the Jazz roster stands. there should be plenty of minutes up for grabs at the power forward position. Lauri Markkanen will be logging most of his time at the three, while Luka Samanic still has a ways to go in proving himself a stable option.

How Hendricks performs in training camp will also have a lot to say about how this plays out. Jazz fans will get their first glimpse of all three first-round picks when the Summer League starts on July 3.

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