After the Los Angeles Lakers landed Luka Doncic in that stunning early February trade, Jaxson Hayes was their only true center who was on a standard contract. While he often made a concerted effort to help them out, his limitations were clear, and they were usually at a disadvantage in the middle.
He averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes a game during the regular season, and he provided Doncic with a lob threat. However, in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was practically invisible, as he played just 7.