Draft options for the Utah Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick

Taylor Hendricks

Taylor Hendricks is one name that has been rising in many recent mock drafts. The UCF product showed out in his freshman year, averaging 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 47.4% field goal shooting and 39.4% from three-point range. Hendricks brings more to the table than just an offense. The 6-foot-9 forward is an elite shot blocker, averaging 1.7 blocks per game with the Knights as a freshman.

If Hendricks is on the board when the Jazz select, it would be an intriguing option for Jazz CEO Danny Ainge. With Ainge having drafted two playmaking forwards in Boston, such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, you’d have to think Ainge would consider bringing in that type of talent to develop in Utah alongside Lauri Markkanen.

Hendricks could be one of the best two-way players to come out of the draft, and his potential could be the highest in the draft (aside from Victor Wembenyama). If the Florida native remains on the board when Utah’s pick comes around, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Ainge swing on the potential with the trust that Will Hardy can mold the versatile talent into an elite player at the professional level.

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