Making the Case: San Antonio Spurs
For the San Antonio Spurs, this trade is entirely dependent on their belief in Jaxson Hayes. Hayes is a traditional run-and-jump center with elite measurements and room to grow. While he’s inconsistent on both ends of the court, his potential as a rim-runner and shot-blocker is certainly enticing.
The Spurs are a young team on the cusp of playoff contention, so adding a prospect of Hayes’s caliber should be a nice step forward in the right direction. Unfortunately, Hayes comes with plenty of question marks as well, both on and off the court.
Basketball-wise, Hayes has to improve his consistency to become a regularly impactful player. On offense, he’s limited to just rim-rolls and dump-offs. While his vertical spacing is a great asset, adding more of an offensive repertoire will help round out his game.
On defense, he’s excellent as a shot-blocker, either chasing down opponents in transition or flying in from the weakside for swats. But he’s too slow-footed laterally to guard on the perimeter and doesn’t have the bulk to stand up to back-to-the-basket post threats. He’ll have to develop his body one way or the other to become a significant defender.
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His off-court issues are the most pressing concern, though.
The former Texas Longhorn was charged with domestic violence, resisting arrest, and battery against a police officer earlier this year for an incident from July 2021. The trial is ongoing, but his ex-girlfriend Sofia Jamora has also filed a suit against Hayes in regards to the alleged abuse.
In the end, Hayes’s off-court trouble probably makes him too much of a risk for the San Antonio Spurs, a club that prides itself on playing a high-character, team-oriented style of basketball. San Antonio could likely find a much better fit and much safer prospect if they were to trade Doug McDermott.
