New Orleans Pelicans’ Player Grades: Jaxson Hayes

What Jaxson Hayes did well

Coming into the season the New Orleans Pelicans probably weren’t expecting much out of Jaxson Hayes.

Though he was selected 8th overall (by the Hawks and then traded to the Pels), his game was raw and most figured it would be a year or two before Hayes was ready to contribute.

Then Hayes had a big summer league and preseason, doing something spectacular nearly every game. Check out these highlights:

Jaxson Hayes had 19 points in his very first game of the regular season and New Orleans Pelicans’ fans lost their minds.

It looked like they had a potential star to go along with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball.

Though Hayes eventually cooled off, he did enough well to warrant that excitement.

Hayes has a high motor and runs the floor as well or better than most centers in the NBA. He’s going to have a long career catching lobs from Lonzo just because he hustles.

Hayes showed occasional weak side shotblocking, and the potential to be an elite offensive rebounder.

If you don’t get a body on Jaxson Hayes in the lane, he will make you pay with a put-back and might put you on a poster in the process.

When Hayes had the ball close the hoop, he showed that he knows what to do with it, as he shot 66% from the field.

Defensively Hayes showed the ability to use his length to alter shots and the potential to be an elite rim protector.

If the season is over, it has been a successful one for Jaxson Hayes, as he has shown he can do the things the New Orleans Pelicans need him to do: run the floor, dunk, protect the rim and disrupt plays in the lane.

But Hayes does have some areas he needs to improve if he wants increased minutes in his second year.