Insider reveals possible Jazz rotation plans given Hendricks injury

Due to Taylor Hendricks' unfortunate injury to the Utah Jazz on Monday night, third-year head coach Will Hardy will be forced to make some changes to his starting lineup just three games into the new season.

At the start of the year, the Jazz played Hendricks alongside Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler up front, offering a young, balanced three-to-five position with a solid mix of offensive and defensive skills. However, with Utah's second-year forward expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, that combination needs to change.

According to jazz insider Sarah Todd of Deseret NewsOne could expect the Jazz to move first-round rookie Cody Williams into the starting lineup, as well as more minutes for two younger players further down the bench.

“As far as rotations go, I would expect Cody Williams to probably start,” Todd said. “Maybe move more Brice forward, definitely bring Kyle Filipowski into the rotation… Some of these young guys are going to need some mental toughness to make the most of this opportunity. They're going to hate the way they're doing it. “We're given a chance, but they have to take it…”

Placing Williams in the starting lineup allows his length and versatility to somewhat mimic the impact Hendricks would have on the field, although he likely won't be as strong defensively as Utah's top-ten 2023 pick. He had in three games a slower start to his rookie season (2.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists), but he expects his production to improve as he becomes more comfortable in his first year as a pro.

Allowing your young talent more reps on the floor is far from an ideal situation, but it is an opportunity to see what the Jazz's first- and second-year players have in store with more playing time in the lineup.

The Jazz will officially debut their new starting combination on Tuesday night in their first game without Hendricks at home against the Sacramento Kings.

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