New Orleans Pelicans: Best Case Scenario Comps for the Under-25’s

New Orleans Pelicans’ Player Comparisons: Jaxson Hayes

Jaxson Hayes is the Next…Hassan Whiteside

Jaxson Hayes is an athletic big who can run the floor, block shots and provide highlight reel dunks on a regular basis.

But he lacks physical strength so far, doesn’t have great basketball instincts and still has a lot to learn about defense.

He reminds me of a young Hassan Whiteside, and I mean that as a compliment.

Some Pelicans’ fans would argue that his ceiling is a lot higher than Whiteside’s, after all, Whiteside didn’t even really join the NBA until he was 25, while Hayes was only 19 as a rookie.

But Whiteside leads the NBA in blocks, averages a double/double and has become the anchor of the Portland defense, so if Hayes follows in his footsteps the Pels would be ecstatic.

Hayes’ Per-36 numbers from his rookie season look very similar to Whiteside’s and like Whiteside, Hayes came into the league as an undersized, athletic 7-footer.

If Hayes can focus his efforts on the defensive end, he could be an elite shot blocker, and the points will come, as they have for Whiteside, who now averages 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.

If Hayes could put up numbers like that he’d be the perfect center to play with Zion, and he will have a long career in the NBA.

Hayes has a lot of work to do to get there, but he could eventually be a league-leading shot blocker and defensive anchor for the New Orleans Pelicans.