What a difference a year makes.
During the 2023 NBA offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers made low-cost, high-reward signings with Cam Reddish and Christian Wood. Reddish still carried some prestige as the No. 10 pick of the 2019 draft, while Wood had impressive numbers for a journeyman.
Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes, the No. 8 pick from the same 2019 draft, didn’t have the same recognition as Reddish and Wood. Hayes had never been a starter, a double-digit scorer, or someone who significantly impacted the stat sheet.
However, after one season in Hollywood, Hayes is now held in the highest regard. According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, if the Lakers need to make a cost-cutting move, Wood and Reddish “would be the two most likely guys to be salary dumped,” while the Lakers “would prioritize keeping Hayes in comparison with [Wood] and Reddish.”
Before diving into why this is a wise decision, it’s important to note that this might not matter. The free-agent pool is nearly exhausted, and it’s uncertain if the Lakers will find anyone worth making a financial sacrifice to sign. They might not be able to trade for enough room to add one of the top remaining players on the market.
However, if the Lakers identify a target who shares mutual interest, a salary dump might become necessary. If that happens, they should strive to keep Hayes.
Hayes took the longest to secure his rotation spot, but his role expanded as the season progressed. His low-maintenance, high-energy, athletic game fits well alongside stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Hayes fits the classic rim-runner mold, excelling around the restricted area at both ends, catching lobs on offense and protecting the basket on defense. Although he has tried long-distance shooting, the Lakers wisely limited his attempts, leading to a career-high 72 percent conversion rate on mostly point-blank opportunities.
This offensive approach, expected to grow more perimeter-oriented under new coach JJ Redick, should provide Hayes with ample room to operate. As a 7-footer with legitimate hops (34.5″ max vertical at the 2019 combine), his aerial game would thrive.
Hayes’ skill set complements James and Davis better than Wood and Reddish. Wood tends to dominate the ball, reducing opportunities for the team’s best players. Reddish has yet to become the three-and-D swingman many hoped, as his 32.4 career three-point percentage indicates.
Hayes’ limited but effective skill set benefits the team, and at 24, he still has room to develop.
