Nobody in Utah knew the name Blake Hinson until February 9. On that day, the NBA announced that the Utah Jazz signed the forward to a two-way contract.
Though he started as an unknown, from game-winning shots to incredible offensive outings, Hinson proved that he belongs in the NBA.
A Shooters League
Every NBA franchise needs precise shooting, especially since the number of three-point attempts teams take has increased exponentially. Blake Hinson can be one of those shooters for the Jazz. Since signing with the team, Hinson has hit 50% of the 5.2 attempts he takes a game.
Hinson shoots 51.2% from the field, which is in the top five on the team. Though the sample size of 12 games is small, the forward continues to impress his teammates and coaching staff alike.
Comparatively, looking at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s three-point specialist, Isaiah Joe, Joe averages 45.1% from the field and 42% from three. Though Joe has played in far more games than Hinson, the young forward has a similar shot diet. He could replicate the off-the-bench spacing and shooting prowess that Joe provides for OKC.
In the biggest moment of Hinson’s young NBA career, he showcased his impact. He hit the game-winning shot against the Golden State Warriors on March 9.
Another Tool in the Arsenal
With the likes of Cody Williams, Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, Isaiah Collier, and a future lottery pick, the Jazz’s secondary unit will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
Hinson will add another weapon to this lineup. Not only has he put up impressive percentages, but the forward also adds consistent scoring. In the 12 games he’s played with the Jazz, Hinson averaged 10.6 points per game.
His numbers put his scoring ability above the likes of consistent rotation pieces Svi Mykhailiuk and John Konchar. On March 25, Hinson scored 21 points off the bench in just 11 minutes of play.
True Grit
From college to the G-League, Hinson’s work ethic has propelled him further up the professional ranks. He’s the kind of player Jazz coach Will Hardy could use to help bring more of his culture of effort to the young locker room.
After going through back-to-back redshirt years, he became a key component for the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, he was named to the ACC Second Team in his first year and the ACC First Team in his second. Despite an amazing final season at Pittsburgh, Hinson ended up going undrafted, but he remained undeterred.
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Hinson persevered and headed to the G-League where he dominated, averaging 20.9 points, 1.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds throughout his entire G-League career. He bounced around the G-League a little bit, but he had never seen any NBA play until the Jazz called him up.
Needed In the New CBA
Players like Hinson are becoming more important to NBA teams. With the new CBA’s steep penalties for exceeding the salary cap, teams need productive players on cheap contracts, like Hinson.
These penalties forced the Boston Celtics to trade away Kristaps Porzingis to get under the salary cap. They now mostly use Neemias Queta, a longtime G-Leaguer, as their starting center.
Queta makes a little over $2 million per year. That kind of money for a starting center averaging 10.1 points, 1.3 blocks, 1.6 assists, and 8.4 rebounds is a steal. This price allows the Celtics to thrive while remaining under the salary cap.
As of right now, Hinson doesn’t affect the Jazz’s salary cap, as he’s only on a two-way deal. The team must face the reality that they will have to pay Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and others in the near future. As such, the Jazz will need players like Hinson to remain flexible under the new CBA.
Looking to the Future
It’s no secret that the Jazz used this year to figure out next year’s roster. After a long, grueling rebuild, the time has come to start winning next year. Hinson is a perfect candidate to play a part in the second unit as a deep bench piece. He clearly deserves to be in the NBA, as he has dominated the G-League with his tremendous shooting.
If on the team, there’s a guarantee that Jazz Nation will see more big shots from the former Pittsburgh Panther. His play may even help the get back to the playoffs, where the Jazz are long overdue for a series victory.
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