Like his classmate Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaxson Hayes had a season of two halves. After struggling so much in the first half of the year that he fell out of the regular rotation, Hayes played his way back into the mix for the Pelicans, most importantly for the future, back into a valuable piece of New Orleans’ young core.
Stat of the Season
102.9.
In the final 38 games, Hayes was a vital piece of the Pelicans. He started in only two of those games but appeared in 37 of them and had a defensive rating of 102.9 in that span, the best of any rotation player on the team.
Notable Exit Interview Quote
On when things changed this season…
“Being benched, that’s what kind of made things click. It was like I have to make sure I come into work every day and be professional about everything and make sure I’m getting it in every day and getting better. I can only control the things that I can control.”
Overview
If a sophomore slump truly exists, Hayes’ first 34 games can be used as Exhibit A. The big man played in each of the first 16 games, but never could find his place on either end of the court, often floating through games with little impact.
Between Jan. 29 and March 1, a span of 17 games for the Pelicans, Hayes played just seven times and averaged just over 10 minutes per appearance. Through March 1, Hayes’ net rating on the season was a team-worst minus-8.8.
However, after sitting out four straight games, Hayes stepped back into the rotation on March 3 against Chicago, reached double figures in scoring for just the third time on the season.
He was rewarded with consistent minutes and returned the favor with consistent production over the second half of the year.
Outlook
Without putting too much into one sample size of games over the other, it’s hard not to walk away from the season optimistic about Hayes’ future. How optimistic the Pelicans are about him could determine what the team does with Steven Adams moving forward.
It is interesting to note that Hayes’ net rating alongside Zion Williamson was far better than Steven Adams’. In fact, over the final 38 games, Hayes and Williamson played 285 minutes together and had a plus-9.6 net rating.
Regardless if he’s the starter next season, he’s a part of the Pelicans’ future, which is quite a statement to make after how he started the year.
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