New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Players Who Will Make a Big Leap Next Season

Jaxson Hayes, Center

Why He’s Important

Jaxson Hayes, much like NAW, is important because he can offer production at a low-cost.

He is also on a team-friendly deal that runs through the 2022-23 season, so if he can produce on this contract he’ll be one of the most valuable players on the team.

It’s especially important because Hayes plays center, a position the New Orleans Pelicans do not want to invest heavily in with big paydays coming to Ingram, Ball and Zion.

Hayes needs to make the leap so that the New Orleans Pelicans do not have to re-sign Derrick Favors, though we’d love to have the big guy back on a minimum deal.

The problem is that Hayes is probably not big and strong enough to bang with NBA centers full time, so they will have to find another big who can defend.

But that doesn’t mean Hayes won’t make a big leap next year.

Why We Think He’ll Make the Leap

Hayes was a very productive player in his short spurts for the New Orleans Pelicans.

His per-36 numbers of 15.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and two blocks would be more than enough to keep him on the floor if he played better defense.

Hayes was often lost on defense, slow to rotate and missed a lot of assignments. But he’s only 19-years-old, and defensive positioning is hard to learn for a big man.

Hayes will spend the offseason in the film room, learning his role so that he is much better prepared to help the New Orleans Pelicans on the defensive end.

Hayes will undoubtedly get stronger in his first offseason in the NBA, which should keep him from getting pushed around as much in the paint.

It’s also possible that Hayes will have a much more defined role with the team. This season he never really knew when he was going to play, which is a tough spot for a guy who is used to being the star of his team.

Hayes will likely be the first big man off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans, which should help him get into a rhythm while familiarizing him with the team’s schemes on both ends.

Hayes can already run the floor, dunk and block shots into the tenth row, but he needs to add nuance to his game, especially defensively.

We think he will.

Our Prediction

Hayes will be big off the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench next season and will put himself in the running for the Most Improved Player Award. You heard it here first.