Pelica Debrief
Fansided

The 10 things we’ve learned about the New Orleans Pelicans through 10 games

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- NOVEMBER 2: Hamidou Diallo #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans went up for a rebound during the game on November 2, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- NOVEMBER 2: Hamidou Diallo #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans went up for a rebound during the game on November 2, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jaxson Hayes looks like a really nice pick for David Griffin and Company

When this team decided to go with Jaxson Hayes with the eighth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, they were taking a risk on a potentially long play prospect. Instead, they’ve gotten immediate impact from the rookie out of the University of Texas.

He’s been incredible to watch his role as a modern NBA rim running center, playing in limited opportunities as their 19-year-old, third-ranking center.


Hayes has been exciting to watch blossom so early in his rookie year considering many expected him to spend much of his first season developing in the G-League.

Avoiding a trip to play for the Erie Bay Hawks, Hayes has found an early comfort playing next to the similarly-impressive Jahlil Okafor.

In 7 games, he’s averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and shot 67.9% from the field on 4 attempts per contest. His per 36 minutes stats are especially impressive, showing 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals, but the 7.7 personal fouls on that line are unsustainable.

Most exciting to fans have been the at-rim looks, where he’s converting alley-oops and dunks the way more and more teams are hoping for out of modern centers.


He’s currently shooting 78.6% of his looks from inside of three feet, where he’s hitting 77.3% of his looks, which is exactly what you’d hope out of the 19-year-old rookie.

Playing 14 minutes per contest, Hayes is averaging 3 personal fouls per game and has had issues with fouling at least dating back to college.

While he obviously has room to improve, Hayes has shown well for the New Orleans Pelicans in limited opportunities. So far, he looks like someone worth keeping around for the long haul.

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