LOS ANGELES – It didn’t take more than a few minutes of Nicolo Melli and Jahlil Okafor sharing the practice court with Jaxson Hayes this fall to recognize something NBA highlight viewers have come to understand over the past few days: Hayes’ athleticism, particularly at 6-foot-11, is off the charts, capable of generating eye-popping plays at the rim. Elevated to starting center due to New Orleans frontcourt injuries, Hayes averaged 26.9 minutes and 9.0 points on the Pelicans’ three-game road trip, while throwing down a few dunks that were immediately ticketed for SportsCenter. There was the flying one-handed slam he had off a Lonzo Ball pass at Utah, followed later in the same half by a preposterous reverse putback dunk off a Jrue Holiday miss.
Highlight-generating Jaxson Hayes gaining valuable experience as starter
