Seven picks after selecting Zion Williamson first overall, the New Orleans Pelicans chose his potential future frontcourt running mate in Jaxson Hayes out of the University of Texas with the eighth pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Standing 6’11 and possessing a 7’4 reach, Hayes is often compared to Clint Capela of the Houston Rockets. The hope is he can morph into a similar athletic rim runner whose length, hops and quickness should make him an excellent rim protector as well as offer enough versatility to guard multiple positions.