The Utah Jazz announced Thursday that they have exercised the rookie scale options for five second- and third-year players on the roster.
Facing an Oct. 31 deadline, the Jazz decided to pick up the options that will keep Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Isaiah Collier and Cody Williams under contract through the 2026-27 season.
Hendricks, George and Sensabaugh will become restricted free agents following the 2026-27 season. The Jazz will have another Oct. 31 deadline next year to decide if they want to pick up the fourth-year options for Collier and Williams.
Giving more time to Hendricks (2023 No. 9 overall pick), who missed all of last season because of a broken leg, was a no-brainer for the Jazz, and George (2023 No. 16 overall pick) has had a roaring start to the 2025-26 season, averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 assists in the Jazz’s first four games.
Sensabaugh, who was the 28th pick in the 2023 draft, was a low-risk, high-reward player for the Jazz. A high-level scorer, Sensabaugh had plenty of NBA potential but had already had two knee surgeries before his NBA career ever began.
The Jazz figured if he could remain healthy, his talents would transfer to the next level. That’s proved true as Sensabaugh shot at a 42.2% clip from 3-point range last season.
More often than not, teams choose to exercise rookie scale options for second-year players because the salaries are so team-friendly and it gives the team more time to evaluate and see if there is long-term potential. That’s the case here with Williams and Collier, who the Jazz selected 10th and 29th, respectively, in the 2024 NBA draft.
Collier has yet to play in the 2025-26 season, nursing a hamstring injury that was suffered prior to training camp. Williams, has played in very limited minutes, but the Jazz are hopeful for his development.
Kyle Filipowski, the other player the Jazz selected in 2024 draft, was a second-round pick and does not have the same salary structure as first-round picks. He is on a non-guaranteed deal for the 2026-27 season with a team option in 2027-28.
Rookies Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. have the first two years of their deals guaranteed with rookie scale team options for their third and fourth years.
