After trading stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last year, everyone expected Utah to be in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Instead, the Jazz found themselves in the playoff hunt for much of the season before shutting things down towards the end of the year en route to a 37-45 record.
With the Mitchell and Gobert trades, the Jazz received a number of draft picks for years to come, including the No. 9, 16th and 28th picks in this year’s NBA Draft.
The Jazz didn’t trade up or down, instead, used all three picks to select Taylor Hendricks (6-foot-10, Central Florida), Keyonte George (6-foot-4, Baylor), and Brice Sensabaugh (6-foot-6, Ohio State).
Here’s a look at the grades that national experts gave the Jazz.
Taylor Hendricks
Player comparisons: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Collins
Analysis: At 6-foot-9, Hendricks fits the mold of a modern NBA power forward who can also slide up and play center. His ability to both defend the rim and space the floor makes him a unique prospect and arguably the top power forward in the 2023 NBA Draft class. An excellent athlete with great length who effortlessly plays above the rim, Hendricks should be an above-average rebounder at the NBA level. He’s also capable of handling the ball on the perimeter and initiating his own offense against certain matchups.
National Media Grades
New York Post: A
Clutch Points: A
Yahoo: A
Sporting News: A
CBS: A-
USA Today: B+
The Ringer: B+
Bleacher Report: B-
SB Nation: B+
FanSided: B-
Andrei Kirilenko: Why The Former Utah Jazz All-Star Should Have His Jersey Retired
Keyonte George
Player comparisons: Jamal Murray, Bradley Beal
Analysis: A true combo guard who could play both backcourt spots in the NBA, George is a bit of a tweener at 6-foot-4, but his athleticism and body control allow him to create space and get his shot off against bigger defenders. George is an excellent scorer off the dribble, capable of getting to the rim with either hand while also using footwork to generate space. George was a hot-and-cold 3-point shooter at Baylor (33.8%), but he shot nearly 80% at the free throw line and projects as a plus floor-spacer at the next level.
National Media Grades
New York Post: A
Yahoo: A
Clutch Points: A-
USA Today: B+
Sporting News: B+
FanSided: B+
The Ringer: B+
CBS: B
SB Nation: B
Bleacher Report: C+
Brice Sensabaugh
Player comparisons: Julius Randle, Joe Johnson
Analysis: Sensabaugh is a big-bodied wing/guard who’s aggressive in his pursuit to score. He’s comfortable breaking opponents down off the dribble for mid-rangers, nailing catch-and-shoot threes and even punishing down smaller defenders in the post. He makes tough shots. Passing wasn’t what he was asked to do at Ohio State, but he’s shown good vision.
National Media Grades
New York Post: A
SB Nation: A
The Ringer: A
USA Today: B+
Sporting News: B+
FanSided: B+
Bleacher Report: B
Clutch Points: B
CBS: B
Yahoo: C+
Utah Jazz Roster
Collin Sexton
Lauri Markkanen
Kelly Olynyk
Ochai Agbaji
Simone Fontecchio
Walker Kessler
Jordan Clarkson (player option)
Talen Horton-Tucker (player option)
Damian Jones (player option)
Rudy Gay (player option)
Kris Dunn (non-guaranteed)
Luka Samanic (non-guaranteed)
Vernon Carey Jr. (non-guaranteed)
2023 NBA Picks
Taylor Hendricks (No. 9)
Keyonte George (No. 16)
Brice Sensabaugh (No. 28)
2023 Free Agents:
Udoka Azubuike (UFA)
Juan Toscano-Anderson (UFA)
Johnny Juzang (Two-Way)
