How Taylor Hendricks Fits with the OKC Thunder

Next up in the Thunder Fits series, which will detail each draft prospects potential fit with the Thunder, is UCF forward Taylor Hendricks.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder entering the offseason, it’s officially time to time to switch gears to prospect evaluation mode.

And this year’s impending draft has plenty of players that can help bolster the OKC core.

No matter how unlikely it is Oklahoma City lands certain prospects, the Thunder Fit series will take a look at how they would fit with the current team’s configuration. And with a war chest of assets, you never know how far the front office could move up to acquire a player.

The next prospect up in the series is lengthy forward Taylor Hendricks, who was a surprise one-and-done for Central Florida.

Here’s how Hendricks could fit alongside the rest of the Thunder core:

Offense

Hendricks averaged 15.1 points per game on 48 percent shooting overall, utilizing a mix of a still-developing post-game, three-point shooting and closeout attacking.

He was one of the better freshman shooters in the country, especially for his height at 6-foot-9, shooting 39 percent on 4.6 attempts per game.

In the Thunder system, he would be a lengthy plug-and-play forward alongside Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. He’s not adept with the ball in-hands just yet, with his looser handle being one of his weaknesses, but alongside OKC’s cache of playmakers he would likely thrive.

Hendricks would also add a larger body for a rim-running and rebounding precense.

Defense

Defensively, Hendricks is one of the better prospects in the class. And his weak-side shot blocking potential next to Chet Holmgren would be extremely enticing.

He averaged 1.7 blocks per game and just shy of one steal, protecting the rim at a solid rate and disrupting passing lanes as well.

He’s also showcased intriguing point-of-attack defense, fanning out with his long wingspan and smothering the opposition. Alongside Holmgren and Luguentz Dort, Hendricks would help to anchor the Oklahoma City defense.

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