There have been flashes this season where Jaxson Hayes looks like more than just a high-flying backup for the Lakers - he looks like a guy ready to make a serious case for a starting role. Especially when he shares the floor with Luka Dončić, the chemistry is hard to miss.
Hayes’ athleticism is off the charts, and his knack for finishing lobs makes him an ideal vertical threat in pick-and-roll action. That connection was on full display a few weeks back when Hayes threw down an eye-popping between-the-legs dunk in-game against the Bulls - even Dončić couldn’t hide his surprise.
But as electric as Hayes can be above the rim, the rest of his game still has some catching up to do. He’s not a threat with his back to the basket - no real post moves to speak of - and his decision-making can be questionable at times.
Case in point: just before a game against the Wizards, Hayes found himself in hot water after shoving the Wizards’ mascot, G-Wiz, during a pregame moment when the mascot was hyping up the crowd on the court. It was an odd scene, and though it didn’t appear malicious, the league didn’t take it lightly.
Hayes was hit with a one-game suspension - unpaid - making him one of the very few players in league history to be disciplined for an altercation involving a mascot.
To make matters more complicated, the shove led to a bit of a domino effect. As G-Wiz stumbled from the push, another Lakers player - running out of the tunnel - made accidental contact with the mascot. The league clearly felt it was enough to warrant action, and Hayes is now lighter in the wallet because of it.
Still, the incident doesn’t seem to have shaken the growing on-court bond between Hayes and Dončić. Their lob game has been one of the more underrated storylines in L.A. this season, and it looks like that connection is about to go international.
According to a recent report, Hayes is in the final stages of securing Slovenian citizenship - a move that would allow him to suit up alongside Dončić for the Slovenian national team. That’s a significant development for Slovenia, a team that has largely leaned on Dončić to carry the load in international play. Adding a rim-running, athletic big like Hayes could give Slovenia a new dimension, especially in major tournaments like the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics.
For Hayes, it’s a chance to expand his game, gain valuable experience on the international stage, and continue building chemistry with one of the best playmakers in the world. For Slovenia, it’s a potential game-changer.
And for Lakers fans? It’s another reason to keep an eye on how this duo continues to evolve - both at home and abroad.