Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: Why the team will go over the Vegas win total

By Steven Balkos

METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images /
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(Photo by Sean Berry/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Berry/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jaxson Hayes – First rounder

While the biggest splashes made by the Pelicans this offseason were through trade and with the first overall pick in the draft, the team also had two other first round picks worth mentioning in this draft. Jaxson Hayes was selected eight overall by the Pelicans out of Texas University and will provide a shot-blocking and rim-rattling experience for Pelicans fans everywhere. The 6’11” center had a stand out game at this years Summer League in Las Vegas which included a 28-point outing vs the Chicago Bulls.

Hayes averaged a double-double over the course of Summer League and racked up a few highlights along the way. Hayes can provide an immediate impact with both his shot blocking skills as well as cleaning up around the rim and putbacks. Being an athletic, long center will aid Jaxson in a run and gun Pelicans system and I would expect to see Hayes have many alley-oops from Zo’ and Jrue this season. Having an excellent mentor like Derrick Favors who will most likely start at the five for the Pelicans this season will also help Hayes learn the ins and outs of being an NBA big. Favors has a very similar playing style as he knows his role, is a big body, cleans up around the rim and does the dirty work for his team. These sort of attributes are underrated and will go a long way in the development of Jaxson this season. Favors, coming off a career year in field goal percentage at 58.6 percent leaves Utah after nine seasons and brings a veteran leadership this Pelicans team will crave all season.

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