Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans rookies are showing mixed bag through 7 games

By Willie Lutz

MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0, Zion Williamson #1, and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0, Zion Williamson #1, and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 31: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 31: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Jaxson Hayes continues to impress early

The most impressive rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans so far has clearly been Jaxson Hayes. Selected as an assumed raw prospect with the eighth overall pick out of the University of Texas, Hayes continues to be a source of inspiration for discouraged fans.

Initially, David Griffin thought Hayes might be a G-League stache for the first season of his career, but is 15.8 minutes per game, checking into four-straight swings.

Instead of needing a year to prepare at a lower level, Hayes is helping the New Orleans Pelicans to try and find ways to win in his first season in the city.

Averaging 7.8 points and 3.8 boards, while shooting 61.9% from the floor through four games, Hayes is giving the Pelicans something to cheer for, watching their rookie center as he continues to show an increasingly impressive skillset.

Advanced metrics are painting the same narrative. Hayes is posting a 19.9 player efficiency rating, 128 offensive rating, and 2.4 box plus/minus thus far. He’s got skills to develop, clearly, but the rookie continues to prove potent in the team’s up-tempo offense.

Hayes is posting a less-than-thrilling performance on the defensive end of the floor, but he hasn’t been helped by a New Orleans Pelicans’ perimeter defense that seems more than happy to watch offensive players breeze to the paint.

Perhaps posting the third-most encouraging start from any Pelicans player (Brandon Ingram and Jahlil Okafor top that list), Hayes looks to have the tools to be in the NBA for a long time, whether or not it’s in New Orleans.

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