Expert Believes Major Starting Change Could Completely Rewrite New Laker's Career
Though he was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 8 lottery pick they acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks in 2019, one of the newest Los Angeles Lakers didn't exactly impress his original franchise in four seasons on the team.
By signing with the Purple and Gold this offseason, Law Murray of The Athletic believes that Jaxson Hayes can revive his career in Los Angeles.
"If Jaxson Hayes is starting at center in Los Angeles, then it will be amazing what a change of scenery can do. Hayes, a lottery pick in 2019, fell behind Willy Hernangómez on the Pelicans center depth chart behind Jonas Valančiūnas last season. Hernangómez is not under contract in the NBA currently, while Hayes is the only true center with a standard contract with the Lakers as of the end of August."
Falling out of favor in Willie Green's rotation despite his skill set as an athletic big man with defensive instincts, Hayes arrives to the City of Angels, poised for a big role in the Laker frontcourt alongside the newest LA signing, Christian Wood.
Both presumably are poised to back up Anthony Davis who himself was recently extended on a new contract this offseason, but should the team revert back to a two-big system like years past, Hayes could fill that role.
Hayes has experience as a starter, but it's safe to say that the former 8th overall pick four seasons ago hasn't lived up to his draft pedigree.
In a new environment and with bigger goals at stake, the former Longhorn will have more than his fair chance to change some narrative and parlay a successful season in LA into a new opportunity for his NBA career.
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