Taylor Hendricks

[EvanZ]

The question is what he can do with the ball as a self-creator. A lot of the footage I've seen, he's either a stand-still shooter or straight-line driver. He may be able to do more than he's shown. He reminds me a bit of Jerami Grant when he played with the Nuggets--spot-up shooter, versatile defender and secondary rim protector, limited rebounder, straight-line driver. Can play at 3 - 5.

If you make creation your threshold then you'd have a guy like Brice Sensabaugh ahead of him. Doesn't make sense to me. Maybe some people do though. I wouldn't take any of the so-called creators in this NCAA class ahead of Hendricks, except Miller who is really only a fringe creator himself (better than Jabari was for sure). If Hendricks fails, it's not because he can't create. It's because he won't live up to the shooting and defense part of his profile, which people are banking on.

Attributes like handle, body control and self-creation are critical to a player having potential to be a primary offensive player. I do have players like GG Jackson and Brice Sensabaugh ahead of Hendricks for that reason, as at the end of the day I only really care about a player's upside in the draft.

I like Hendricks and think he'll be a versatile 3D wing. He'll space the floor, drive in open lanes, and finish above the rim. He'll guard big wings and be able to switch out on the perimeter. He may make $100MM in the league and be a valuable contributor to a playoff team. When it comes to the draft, however, I want All Stars. I think Hendricks' star potential is limited.

You are literally describing an All Star like Jaren Jackson or All Star Andrew Wiggins lol.

[Catchall]

If you make creation your threshold then you'd have a guy like Brice Sensabaugh ahead of him. Doesn't make sense to me. Maybe some people do though. I wouldn't take any of the so-called creators in this NCAA class ahead of Hendricks, except Miller who is really only a fringe creator himself (better than Jabari was for sure). If Hendricks fails, it's not because he can't create. It's because he won't live up to the shooting and defense part of his profile, which people are banking on.

Attributes like handle, body control and self-creation are critical to a player having potential to be a primary offensive player. I do have players like GG Jackson and Brice Sensabaugh ahead of Hendricks for that reason, as at the end of the day I only really care about a player's upside in the draft.

I like Hendricks and think he'll be a versatile 3D wing. He'll space the floor, drive in open lanes, and finish above the rim. He'll guard big wings and be able to switch out on the perimeter. He may make $100MM in the league and be a valuable contributor to a playoff team. When it comes to the draft, however, I want All Stars. I think Hendricks' star potential is limited.

You are literally describing an All Star like Jaren Jackson lol.

If he were 7-ft/240-lbs, I probably would be. In the meantime, I'm describing Jerami Grant.

[EvanZ]

So literally any 5'10" point guard that can handle the ball is a potential star. I get it.

[Hal14]

Attributes like handle, body control and self-creation are critical to a player having potential to be a primary offensive player. I do have players like GG Jackson and Brice Sensabaugh ahead of Hendricks for that reason, as at the end of the day I only really care about a player's upside in the draft.

I like Hendricks and think he'll be a versatile 3D wing. He'll space the floor, drive in open lanes, and finish above the rim. He'll guard big wings and be able to switch out on the perimeter. He may make $100MM in the league and be a valuable contributor to a playoff team. When it comes to the draft, however, I want All Stars. I think Hendricks' star potential is limited.

You are literally describing an All Star like Jaren Jackson lol.

If he were 7-ft/240-lbs, I probably would be. In the meantime, I'm describing Jerami Grant.

Jerami Grant is not far off from being an all-star.

And JJJ is 6'10", not 7'0".
https://www.nba.com/player/1628991/jaren-jackson-jr

Hendricks is 6'9" but could be 6'10" when official measurements come out at combine. Henricks could also end up adding some bulk and fill out his frame - still very young..

Any comp we can try to come up with for Hendricks (Jaren Jackson Jr, Porzingis, Jonathan Isaac, Jerami Grant, Andrew Wiggins, John Collins) it's clear he should go top 10.

[clyde21]

the top 3 4s in this class (GG/Jarace/Hendricks) all should go top12.

[Catchall]

If Hendricks measures out at 6'10" in shoes, then he doesn't have to do much off the dribble. He can just pick his spots and shoot over guys.

Watch on YouTube

[benchmobbin02]

I would cut off my finger, Jon WIck style, if the Kings could get Hendricks. He is EXACTLY what we need in the future to put next to Sabonis and Murray in the front court.

[JMAC3]

Reminds me of a young John Collins, think he goes 12-18 in the draft just because teams tend to value wings a bit more than bigs.

[Hal14]

I would cut off my finger, Jon WIck style, if the Kings could get Hendricks. He is EXACTLY what we need in the future to put next to Sabonis and Murray in the front court.

Interesting. You don't think there's too much overlap between Hendricks and Murray? Who would play the 3 in that lineup? I'm not sure Keegan is quick enough to play the 3. And I'm not sure any of those 3 guys give you enough off the dribble creation - it would really put a lot of pressure on the guards to create..

[JMAC3]

I think he would be a great pick in the 10-15 range as day 1 stretch 4 with some ability to play small ball center. I just don't understand the upside of taking him in the 4-7 range that he is now appearing at in some mocks. Awesome catch and shoot guy, but he doesn't really create his own offense or offense for others at all right now. He will occasionally attack a closeout and get to the rim, but UCF used him as a center and he posted up a lot.

I just don't see him translating to some awesome 3/4 like a Tatum or even less so a Patrick Williams. He just hasn't really shown me enough in his bag for my mind to get him there. Feels like you are really blind projecting with him to get him to more than a PJ Washington/John Collins level guy with maybe more defense. That would be a great player, but top 5? IDK

[JMAC3]

I think he would be a great pick in the 10-15 range as day 1 stretch 4 with some ability to play small ball center. I just don't understand the upside of taking him in the 4-7 range that he is now appearing at in some mocks. Awesome catch and shoot guy, but he doesn't really create his own offense or offense for others at all right now. He will occasionally attack a closeout and get to the rim, but UCF used him as a center and he posted up a lot.

I just don't see him translating to some awesome 3/4 like a Tatum or even less so a Patrick Williams. He just hasn't really shown me enough in his bag for my mind to get him there. Feels like you are really blind projecting with him to get him to more than a PJ Washington/John Collins level guy with maybe more defense. That would be a great player, but top 5? IDK

I am truly open on it though. Are there people who think he can morph into a higher usage wing player at the next level?

[Hal14]

I think he would be a great pick in the 10-15 range as day 1 stretch 4 with some ability to play small ball center. I just don't understand the upside of taking him in the 4-7 range that he is now appearing at in some mocks. Awesome catch and shoot guy, but he doesn't really create his own offense or offense for others at all right now. He will occasionally attack a closeout and get to the rim, but UCF used him as a center and he posted up a lot.

I just don't see him translating to some awesome 3/4 like a Tatum or even less so a Patrick Williams. He just hasn't really shown me enough in his bag for my mind to get him there. Feels like you are really blind projecting with him to get him to more than a PJ Washington/John Collins level guy with maybe more defense. That would be a great player, but top 5? IDK

Patrick williams only shot 32% from 3 as a freshman, compared to 39% for Hendricks. Williams measured 6'8" at the combine. Hendricks is 6'9". Hendricks also posted a higher BPM (7.9 compared to 5.5).

Williams is beefier and can do a little more off the dribble but Hendricks is still very young - he'll get stronger once he's in an NBA weight training (and supplements) program, and can keep working on his off the dribble game.

Hendricks is somewhat limited creating off the dribble but did show some good flashes. There was 1 play vs Houston where he had some space to operate on the left wing, went iso with Jarace defending him, and was able to cross him up, create a little bit of separation, get to the rim and finish.

The combination of size (6'9" or taller), shooting (39% or better from 3), impact on winning (BPM of 7.0 or better), rim protection (blocks % of 6.0 or higher) along with good athleticism + fluidity for a freshman is something that is very rare.

The closest guy recently to fit the description above is Jaren Jackson Jr, an all-star and DPOY candidate. Others who come kind of close to that description are Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr, Patrick Williams and Jonathan Isaac.

Do I have Hendricks ranked top 5? No, not at the moment (I have him at 8). But I don't think it's the craziest thing if someone did..

[reanimator]

How many redrafts where the top 5 is all guys with good self-creation? This seems like a good draft to take a high floor guy high lotto with the sheer number of players that have significant question marks.

[God Squad]

TBH I wanted the Raptors to draft him as I think him and Scottie pair nicely. But he's steadily rising up draft boards, and in my personal option has very low bust potential.

[JMAC3]

I think he would be a great pick in the 10-15 range as day 1 stretch 4 with some ability to play small ball center. I just don't understand the upside of taking him in the 4-7 range that he is now appearing at in some mocks. Awesome catch and shoot guy, but he doesn't really create his own offense or offense for others at all right now. He will occasionally attack a closeout and get to the rim, but UCF used him as a center and he posted up a lot.

I just don't see him translating to some awesome 3/4 like a Tatum or even less so a Patrick Williams. He just hasn't really shown me enough in his bag for my mind to get him there. Feels like you are really blind projecting with him to get him to more than a PJ Washington/John Collins level guy with maybe more defense. That would be a great player, but top 5? IDK

Patrick williams only shot 32% from 3 as a freshman, compared to 39% for Hendricks. Williams measured 6'8" at the combine. Hendricks is 6'9". Hendricks also posted a higher BPM (7.9 compared to 5.5).

Williams is beefier and can do a little more off the dribble but Hendricks is still very young - he'll get stronger once he's in an NBA weight training (and supplements) program, and can keep working on his off the dribble game.

Hendricks is somewhat limited creating off the dribble but did show some good flashes. There was 1 play vs Houston where he had some space to operate on the left wing, went iso with Jarace defending him, and was able to cross him up, create a little bit of separation, get to the rim and finish.

The combination of size (6'9" or taller), shooting (39% or better from 3), impact on winning (BPM of 7.0 or better), rim protection (blocks % of 6.0 or higher) along with good athleticism + fluidity for a freshman is something that is very rare.

The closest guy recently to fit the description above is Jaren Jackson Jr, an all-star and DPOY candidate. Others who come kind of close to that description are Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr, Patrick Williams and Jonathan Isaac.

Do I have Hendricks ranked top 5? No, not at the moment (I have him at 8). But I don't think it's the craziest thing if someone did..

Patrick Williams had flashed way more tools off the bounce though, especially in the midrange.

Hendricks is definitely more efficient, but that is because of the shots he has been taking IMO. He is the modern day 4, shoot threes, attack closeouts and still have athleticism to finish and protect rim. If that is all he ever ends up being is that worth a top 5 pick?

[clyde21]

he's 5th for me right now but he doesn't necessarily have the highest ceiling, it's more a low risk play because he does have a strong physical profile and has been super productive as a freshmen with plenty of room to grow, but typically you'd want more self creation or a playmaking hub potential like Barnes from your 4 this high, or maybe even a defensive demon type that can defend up and down a position like a Draymond or something...Hendricks is passable across the board but definitely wouldn't say elite in any of those categories

otherwise, you're drafting him because he has real NBA size/athleticism, physical profile is solid (long arms, reach, big hands, + athlete), shoots the rock from range at a 40% clip, finishes inside cleanly and makes quick enough reads on both ends of the floor where he's not gonna bog down ur scheme.

[Hal14]

I think he would be a great pick in the 10-15 range as day 1 stretch 4 with some ability to play small ball center. I just don't understand the upside of taking him in the 4-7 range that he is now appearing at in some mocks. Awesome catch and shoot guy, but he doesn't really create his own offense or offense for others at all right now. He will occasionally attack a closeout and get to the rim, but UCF used him as a center and he posted up a lot.

I just don't see him translating to some awesome 3/4 like a Tatum or even less so a Patrick Williams. He just hasn't really shown me enough in his bag for my mind to get him there. Feels like you are really blind projecting with him to get him to more than a PJ Washington/John Collins level guy with maybe more defense. That would be a great player, but top 5? IDK

Patrick williams only shot 32% from 3 as a freshman, compared to 39% for Hendricks. Williams measured 6'8" at the combine. Hendricks is 6'9". Hendricks also posted a higher BPM (7.9 compared to 5.5).

Williams is beefier and can do a little more off the dribble but Hendricks is still very young - he'll get stronger once he's in an NBA weight training (and supplements) program, and can keep working on his off the dribble game.

Hendricks is somewhat limited creating off the dribble but did show some good flashes. There was 1 play vs Houston where he had some space to operate on the left wing, went iso with Jarace defending him, and was able to cross him up, create a little bit of separation, get to the rim and finish.

The combination of size (6'9" or taller), shooting (39% or better from 3), impact on winning (BPM of 7.0 or better), rim protection (blocks % of 6.0 or higher) along with good athleticism + fluidity for a freshman is something that is very rare.

The closest guy recently to fit the description above is Jaren Jackson Jr, an all-star and DPOY candidate. Others who come kind of close to that description are Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr, Patrick Williams and Jonathan Isaac.

Do I have Hendricks ranked top 5? No, not at the moment (I have him at 8). But I don't think it's the craziest thing if someone did..

Patrick Williams had flashed way more tools off the bounce though, especially in the midrange.

Hendricks is definitely more efficient, but that is because of the shots he has been taking IMO. He is the modern day 4, shoot threes, attack closeouts and still have athleticism to finish and protect rim. If that is all he ever ends up being is that worth a top 5 pick?

I mean, that might be all you get from Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. Are you telling me you didn't have them top 5? What about Keegan Murray? That might be all you get from him - and he's an inch shorter than Hendricks and a couple years older - yet he went 4th overall and will likely be 1st team all rookie, starting forward for a top 3 seed in the west.

To fully answer your question, it also depends on the context of the team that is picking and how that team feels about the other players in that range (whitmore, ausar, jarace, Black, NSJ). Perhaps they're more impressed with Hendricks during workouts/interviews..

And again, I have Hendricks at 8 right now - not top 5..

[EvanZ]

Think the lowest I get on TH is 4.

[JMAC3]

Think the lowest I get on TH is 4.

As in lock to go top 4 or that would be the soonest you take him?

[JMAC3]

I mean, that might be all you get from Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. Are you telling me you didn't have them top 5? What about Keegan Murray? That might be all you get from him - and he's an inch shorter than Hendricks and a couple years older - yet he went 4th overall and will likely be 1st team all rookie, starting forward for a top 3 seed in the west.

To fully answer your question, it also depends on the context of the team that is picking and how that team feels about the other players in that range (whitmore, ausar, jarace, Black, NSJ). Perhaps they're more impressed with Hendricks during workouts/interviews..

And again, I have Hendricks at 8 right now - not top 5..

Chet had better defensive upside and I also have seen him do more off the bounce in terms of creating shots for himself and others.

Jabari was actually 5th for me. For a lot of the same reasons as I am knocking Hendricks. I had it Paolo- Chet- Ivey- Murray and then Jabari.

Keegan seemed like he could also do more off the bounce and getting his own buckets, he had 14 games with 26 or more pts as sophomore playing in a bigger conference. He was playing more as 3/4 hybrid in college like we see in NBA.

Hendricks career high was 25 in the AAC. I get Hendricks is younger, but it is just tough for me to completely profile him as something he hasn't shown yet. He was playing mostly the 5 spot, so he spent very limited time on the perimeter unless he was catching and shooting a three.

Black, Ausar, Whitmore and NSJ all have a cleaner vision into turning into an offensive star to me, even if the % is low.

Which teams in the top 6-7 would opt for the safety of Hendricks though over taking the swing?