The Memphis Grizzlies are no strangers to reinvention. Built on grit, grind, and savvy scouting, they’ve consistently found ways to punch above their weight.
Now, with the franchise pivoting toward a new era-one that no longer includes Jaren Jackson Jr.-the front office is betting on youth, upside, and a culture that knows how to develop from within. Enter Taylor Hendricks.
At 22, Hendricks is stepping into a critical stage of his young career. Once a lottery pick, he’s now something of a reclamation project-though that label might undersell just how well his skill set aligns with what Memphis needs right now. With Zach Edey and Cedric Coward emerging as key pieces, and Tuomas Iisalo steering the ship, Hendricks has a real shot to carve out a role in a frontcourt rotation that’s shifting fast.
Let’s be clear: rebuilds are rarely linear. They’re messy, full of trial and error, and often hinge on giving second chances to talented players who haven’t quite found their NBA footing.
Hendricks fits that mold. Despite a rocky start in Utah, where he struggled to find rhythm in limited minutes, the tools that once made him a top prospect are still very much intact.
He’s got the size (6-foot-9), the athleticism, and the versatility to fit across multiple frontcourt roles in today’s NBA.
Defensively, there’s real intrigue. Hendricks projects as a weak-side rim protector-someone who can rotate over, contest shots, and help clean up around the basket without being the primary anchor.
With Edey sidelined and Jackson Jr. no longer in the picture, Memphis will need every bit of that help defense. Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward will be tasked with holding things down on the perimeter, while GG Jackson can’t be the lone interior presence.
Hendricks’ ability to use his length and timing to protect the paint could be a swing factor in how these lineups hold up.
Offensively, the Grizzlies aren’t asking him to be a creator-they’re asking him to keep things simple. That’s a smart play.
Hendricks is at his best as a play finisher: spotting up in the corners, cutting along the baseline, making quick decisions in short-roll situations, and running the floor in transition. He shot nearly 40% from three during his college days, and while his NBA sample is still small, the touch is there.
In an offense built around slashing guards and interior scorers, his spacing becomes a quiet but essential ingredient.
Iisalo is also expected to test-drive Hendricks as a small-ball five in second units. That’s a fascinating wrinkle.
It opens the door to faster-paced, switch-heavy lineups that sacrifice some rim protection in exchange for more speed and shooting. In a season that’s no longer about chasing wins but rather evaluating pieces, these kinds of experimental reps are gold.
They give the coaching staff a chance to see what works-and what might carry over into next year’s rotation.
For Hendricks, this is the perfect storm. There’s no pressure to be a star overnight.
Instead, he gets a developmental runway in a system that values his strengths and is willing to be patient with the rest. If things click, he could go from being a forgotten name in Utah’s rotation to a foundational piece in Memphis’ next chapter.
The rest of this season won’t be about playoff positioning-it’s about progress. And for Taylor Hendricks, it’s a chance to prove that he’s more than a throw-in.
He’s a young, modern forward with a game that still has plenty of room to grow. Don’t be surprised if, by season’s end, he’s no longer on the periphery of Memphis’ rebuild-but right in the middle of it.