Jazz's Youth Movement: Sensabaugh and Williams Make Their Case
The fantasy hoops waiver wire is a wasteland sometimes, but every now and then, a couple of guys pop up who can actually help. This week, we're looking at Utah, where a couple of young wings, Brice Sensabaugh and Taylor Hendricks, are starting to carve out roles. It’s not always pretty, but opportunity in the NBA is gold, and these guys are getting it.
Sensabaugh, the 28th pick in last year's draft, has been a bit of a mystery box. He played just 20 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 3.7 points. But lately, with Lauri Markkanen and John Collins both battling injuries, he's seen a significant bump. On April 5th against the Cavaliers, Sensabaugh dropped 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting in 33 minutes. He followed that up with 11 points and 8 rebounds against the Nuggets on April 7th. That's real production, not just garbage time filler. He’s showing a surprisingly polished offensive game for a rookie, especially his mid-range pull-up. He's not just a catch-and-shoot guy, and that versatility makes him intriguing.
Then there's Taylor Hendricks. The ninth overall pick from the same draft class, Hendricks started the season pretty slow. He didn't even crack double-digit minutes consistently until late February. But the Jazz are clearly committed to developing him. He's started 23 games now, and while his scoring isn't always there, he brings defensive energy and rebounding. On April 2nd against the Cavaliers, he had 18 points and 4 boards, hitting four threes. Two nights later, he pulled down 10 rebounds against the Clippers. He’s more of a long-term play, but the recent uptick in minutes and the occasional scoring burst are hard to ignore. His block numbers are still pretty low for a player of his size and athleticism, which is a bit concerning, but the potential is there.
The thing is, Utah is in full evaluation mode. They've been out of the playoff picture for a while, sitting at 30-49 as of April 10th. Coach Will Hardy is giving extended runs to guys like Sensabaugh, Hendricks, and even Keyonte George, to see what sticks. This isn't just about winning games right now; it’s about building for the future. For fantasy purposes, that means a clearer path to minutes for these young guys than you'd find on a contending team. You’re not getting 20 points every night from either Sensabaugh or Hendricks, but the consistent 25-30 minutes they're seeing offers a solid floor for rebounds, occasional scoring, and maybe even a steal or a block.
Look, I get it. Picking up guys from a struggling team can feel like throwing darts in the dark. But opportunity trumps everything in fantasy. Sensabaugh, specifically, looks like he could be a legitimate bucket-getter in this league. He’s got that quiet confidence with the ball that you don't always see from first-year players. My hot take? Sensabaugh will be a more productive fantasy asset next season than Hendricks, even with Hendricks being the higher draft pick. Sensabaugh's offensive package is simply more refined and ready for primetime.
If you’ve got an open roster spot, or you’re dealing with injuries, these Jazz rookies are worth a look. They’re getting the run, and they’re showing flashes. I predict that by the end of next season, Sensabaugh will be averaging double-digit points and be a regular fixture in fantasy lineups.