Pelicans’ Jaxson Hayes Drawing Trade Interest Around NBA

Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA News
NBA Analysis Network

The NBA trade deadline is set for February 10 at 3 p.m. EST, but trade talks are already heating up around the league. Many teams are waiting to see what happens to the Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, and Portland Trail Blazers pertaining to moves they can make centered around Ben Simmons, Damian Lillard, and others, but that has not stopped teams from beginning to put together some possible trade proposals. 

Currently, 12-22, the New Orleans Pelicans are seeing their playoff hopes quickly fading and with Zion Williamson still out indefinitely, it is hard to imagine that they will be able to turn things around.

The good news for them is that they have a lot of draft compensation through the years to continue rebuilding, but the Pelicans also have some trade assets. 

Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple are two veterans that are expected to see some trade interest closer to February, but sources have recently told NBA Analysis Network that some teams around the league are monitoring third-year big man Jaxson Hayes’ status in New Orleans. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Pelicans Announce Update On Zion Williamson’s Potential Return

Drafted eighth overall in 2019, Hayes has seen his minutes bounce up-and-down with the Pelicans over the last two seasons, and now this season, he is averaging a career-low 12.2 minutes per game.

Hayes has seemed to fall out of the New Orleans Pelicans’ rotation entirely due to Jonas Valanciunas, Willy Hernangomez, and rookie Herb Jones getting minutes in the frontcourt over him, which is why there are some teams in the NBA that believe New Orleans will look to trade him. 

Being 21-years-old and standing just under seven-feet tall, Hayes is a very athletic big man that presents a lot of potential as a “change of pace” center in this league. Possessing a 7’3” wingspan and having a high motor, Jaxson Hayes stands out in the league compared to other big men his age because of his ability to run in transition. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Pelicans Announce Update On Zion Williamson’s Potential Return

Obviously his 4.0 rebounds per game for his career is underwhelming and Hayes will need to become stronger in order to remain relevant in this league, but the young center has shown flashes of his full potential through the years. 

“Jaxson Hayes came into the league in an awkward situation in New Orleans and they really have not shown him much attention in terms of wanting to develop him for the future,” an anonymous league executive told NBA Analysis Network. “Valanciunas and Hernangomez are under contract long-term now, so where does Hayes fit into the picture? Teams are always looking for a young, dynamic center, which is why it would not be shocking to see New Orleans field calls on Jaxson Hayes leading up to February.” 

When you look around the league, it is hard to pinpoint where exactly Jaxson Hayes could fit in, but the Thunder, Hornets, Rockets, and Timberwolves are some teams who could be interested in adding another piece to their frontcourt. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Pelicans Announce Update On Zion Williamson’s Potential Return

Having one year left on his rookie contract and being a real threat in the paint because of his athleticism, there are going to be some teams wanting to take a gamble on Jaxson Hayes this season.

It should not be shocking to see him on the move ahead of this year’s NBA trade deadline, especially since things have not worked out between Jaxson Hayes and the New Orleans Pelicans through the years.

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