Jaxson Hayes was arguably the most controversial pick among the first 10 players selected in the 2019 NBA Draft. The University of Texas center finds himself in a unique situation with the New Orleans Pelicans, both as a potential building block next to Zion Williamson up front and possible rotation player for a team that could fight for a playoff berth in the Western Conference as soon as next season.
Here are three bold predictions for Hayes' debut campaign in the NBA.
He'll Spend Some Time In The G-League
Most top-10 picks never play in the G-League. Even prospects chosen that highly in the draft for the players they'll become down the road rather than the ones they could be as rookies usually see enough court time to make developing them in the NBA worth it. But Hayes, to whom that distinction certainly applies, is joining a Pelicans team that finds itself somewhere between rebuilding and competing after trading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month.
If Williamson makes the immediate impact many believe he will, Jrue Holiday continues playing at the career-best level he reached last season, and Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball feel more comfortable in the Pelicans' up-and-down system, will Alvin Gentry have the patience to play through Hayes' growing pains? Remember, Hayes was a guard for most of his high-school career; he didn't start a game until his senior year at Cincinnati's Archbishop Moeller, and wasn't a top-100 recruit even after sprouting up to 6-foot-10 and growing. It's extremely difficult for all rookies to make a positive contribution in the NBA, let alone those who are still learning the nuances of their position and growing into their bodies.
Assuming New Orleans signs a veteran center in free agency, don't be surprised if Hayes spends a portion of his debut campaign with the Erie BayHawks, the team's G-League affiliate. He's far more raw than most rookies selected in the middle of the lottery, and was drafted by a team that would probably rather capitalize on the excitement of Williamson's arrival by prioritizing winning ahead of player development, at least in the season's early going.
He'll Be Among The League Leaders In Dunks Per Minute
Even though he's likely to play in the G-League at points during his rookie season, that hardly means Hayes also won't be of use to the Pelicans. Jahlil Okafor is the only incumbent center on the roster currently under contract, and given the league's shift away from traditional big men plus Williamson's viability as a small-ball five, it would surprise if New Orleans brings in an expensive starting center in free agency, paving the way for Hayes to eventually see the floor.
When he does, expect Hayes to finish with authority around almost as frequently as any other player in the NBA. At just below seven feet tall with a wingspan over 7-foot-3, Hayes is already one of basketball's best run-jump athletes. He's a graceful long-strider in the open floor and extremely quick off his feet both in a crowd and in space, attributes that make him a perfect fit for a team poised to be among the league leaders in pace.
Hayes is hardly prime DeAndre Jordan in terms of vertical explosiveness, and definitely needs to get stronger to maintain his position in the paint. But surrounded by passers the likes of Ball, Holiday, and Williamson in an offense preaching tempo above all else, Hayes is poised to have ample opportunity for high-flying finishes. It obviously helps that he tries to dunk everything around the rim, too.
The Debate About The Pelicans Picking Him Will Continue
Whether Hayes' rookie season is most marked by development in the G-League or flashes of athletic brilliance with the Pelicans, it's safe to say questions will linger throughout about New Orleans' decision to draft him.
There are many traits that make Williamson a generational prospect, but most important among them from a team-building perspective is his ability to defend multiple positions, serve as an effective back-line rim-protector, and create mismatches all over the floor by grabbing and going in transition – developments easiest to come by when playing him at center. Like Draymond Green, Williamson won't and shouldn't be asked to play the five full-time; that's too much to ask of a player already poised to shoulder major playmaking and defensive burdens. But in crunch time from the jump and during high-leverage games when the Pelicans are competing for playoff berths and championships, they will almost surely be at their best slotting Williamson at center.
Where does that leave Hayes? If he proves a viable switch defender and high-level rebounder, bolded question marks, there will be matchups where pairing him with Williamson up front, even when it matters most, make sense. But otherwise, there's a real chance Hayes becomes an afterthought in New Orleans big-picture plans, leading many to wonder just how much better off the team would be if it had gone a different direction with the No. 8 overall pick of the draft.
Follow Us
Subscribe