In an era of basketball where positionless players are coveted more than ever, the traditional rim-protecting center continues to have immense value. Teams are stocking up on long, athletic guards and wing players. And for good reason, as top teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors can trot out an array of them on any night. But a strong defensive anchor down low can still be a valuable asset to any team.
When he signed with the University of Texas, Jaxson Hayes was ranked merely the 102nd freshman in the nation. Today, Hayes' strong play this past season has warranted talk of being a lottery pick. Standing at 6'11”, with a 7'3″ wingspan, Hayes is an athletic, defensive big man who can finish at the rim. In 23 minutes per game this season, Hayes averaged ten points and five rebounds a game while shooting an absurdly-efficient 73% from the field, which ranked second in all of college basketball.
Though he does struggle with rebounding, and it's an area he could improve on at the next level, Hayes' defense is enough to make him invaluable. He has shown exceptional ability to protect the rim, averaging 2.2 blocks per game. Take a look at the elite blocking ability and rim protection of Hayes in this dizzying array from this past season:
Hayes also flashes the athletic ability to keep up with quick guards on the perimeter. In one play in the montage, Hayes gets beat by a guard, but is quick enough to recover and block the shot anyway.
With so many teams switching the pick and roll nowadays, it's imperative that an NBA big man be athletic enough to stay in front of a smaller man on the perimeter. Hayes' is long and athletic enough to show promise in that area.
On offense, Hayes hasn't developed a jump shot, but he may not need one. He has excellent finishing ability, can catch a lob with a ridiculous catch radius, and has proven himself very capable as a pick and roll finisher. An above-the-rim player who can punish teams in the pick and roll would be a good fit for many struggling offenses. The fact that he's also a defensive beast down low only increases his draft stock.
While he'd be an asset to any team looking to strengthen their defense, let's look at three teams that have a real chance to snag him in the NBA Draft:
3. Charlotte Hornets
Hayes' ability to run the pick and roll is undoubtedly strong, as Texas has gone back to it time and time again this season. The Hornets also run the pick and roll a ton, with Kemba Walker leading the NBA in possessions per game as the ball handler in pick and roll situations.
Hayes is a monster as the roll man, and finishes at the rim at an elite rate. Below are a few clips from the pick and roll situations he ran in Texas–a majority of them ending in Hayes' dunks:
Kemba Walker is an elite point guard in his own right, and Hayes and Walker could have the potential to be a dynamic duo in Charlotte. That is, if Kemba decides to stay. Walker is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the Hornets' lack of playoff success may be a reason he leaves. But if he believes in loyalty, and wants the chance to be a local legend, Walker could stay, and Hayes would be a fine piece to pair him with.
If Kemba does leave though, and bolts for clearer pastures, the Hornets' would go into full rebuild mode. Hayes would be a solid option to play with Marvin Williams, Nicolas Batum and Cody Zeller, and their length could cause all kinds of problems for opponents. And while Zeller has been playing well as their center, he doesn't possess a shot-blocking ability. Hayes would then step in and be the guy to deter smaller players from even sniffing the rim.
The Hornets are currently 22nd in the league in defensive rating, and would be in dire need of a boost if Walker leaves. Hayes has the skill set and potential to be a foundational defensive piece to build around, and give Charlotte hope for the future.
2. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are searching for answers after John Wall's Achilles injury, but there could be a bright future ahead if they draft Jaxson Hayes. The Wizards' rebuild must start with defense and frontcourt help, as Bradley Beal will start next season as one of the only reliable scoring options.
Defense is where the Wizards should start first. They currently rank 27th in the league in defensive rating, proving they have a long way to go before they can become contenders. A closer look reveals that interior defense has been a huge issue, as they've allowed 22.2 made field goals per game inside five feet. That leads the the NBA. Opponents are also shooting 64.3% within five feet against the Wizards, the third-highest percentage in the league. In short, teams are getting to the rim and finishing at will against Washington.
Hayes would go a long way in stepping up their interior defense. As of January 14, Texas' opponents were shooting 42.8% from two-point range when Jaxson Hayes was on the floor, which ranked 11th nationally. Hayes' rim protection and blocking ability would no doubt help a Wizards' frontcourt in need of just that. The Wizards average only 4.6 blocks per game, which ranks 23rd in the NBA.
Hayes also excels in the pick and roll with Texas, and both John Wall and Bradley Beal like to run the pick and roll in Washington. Both guards are in the top 35 in possessions per game as the pick and roll ball handlers. With a long, athletic Hayes running to the rim, the floor opens up for the two All-Star guards.
Regardless of when Wall returns from the injury, the Wizards will need a reliable big man, especially one that can provide a strong defensive presence, to pair with their star guards. Touted as one of the best big men in the draft, Hayes can fit that role.
1. New Orleans Pelicans
This offseason, the Pelicans are likely to have an Anthony Davis-shaped hole in their roster. Davis' elite production likely won't be replicated, but his role in the offense will need to be filled. This season, Davis has spent 3.3 possessions per game as the roll man in the pick and roll, which ranks 15th in the NBA. Hayes' finishing skills would surely help the Pelicans continue to run the pick and roll, especially as they boast one of the best pick and roll ball handlers.
Jrue Holiday is scoring 6.9 points per game as the ball handler in pick and roll situations, which is the 13th-highest in the league. He's had Anthony Davis and Julius Randle rolling to the rim, and both are threats in the paint. With Davis leaving, that void can be filled by Hayes.
Also, the players that the Pelicans might receive in a future Anthony Davis trade should be taken into consideration. If they trade with the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart have been rumored to come over. If they trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, the young trio of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram could be heading to NOLA. Regardless, the Pelicans will be looking to get promising, young wing players or guards, and Hayes would, in theory, be the perfect big man complement to them.
The Pelicans currently own the ninth worst record in the league, and while the lottery system could put them anywhere, Hayes has been projected to go as high as the ninth or tenth pick. If Hayes is still available, he could be a major piece to help rebuild in the post-Anthony-Davis era. And if the Pelicans play their cards right, putting Hayes with their new stock of young talent from a potential trade, they could be smelling the playoffs sooner than they think.
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