The pursuit of international basketball glory is heating up, and Luka Dončić may be adding a new weapon to Slovenia’s arsenal. According to reports, Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes is in the process of obtaining Slovenian citizenship - a move that could bolster Slovenia’s frontcourt just in time for key international competition.
Hayes, currently in his first season sharing the court with Dončić in L.A., isn’t logging heavy minutes - averaging just under 18 per game - but his impact goes beyond the box score. The 25-year-old big man has built a solid connection with Dončić over the past year, and that chemistry could translate nicely onto the international stage.
At 7 feet tall with elite bounce, Hayes brings a vertical dimension that could be a real asset for Slovenia. He’s not the type to demand touches in the post or dominate the stat sheet, but his athleticism makes him a constant lob threat - the kind of rim-running big who thrives alongside a playmaker like Dončić.
That dynamic was on full display in Monday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, where Hayes’ above-the-rim presence provided a spark off the bench. And with his name in the mix for the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest, there’s no doubt the guy can fly.
For Dončić, the move is about more than just adding talent - it’s about giving Slovenia a fighting chance on the global stage. He’s carried the national team on his back in recent years, doing everything he can to keep them competitive in the Olympics and FIBA World Cup.
But after a tough EuroBasket quarterfinal loss to Germany last September, it’s clear he could use some help. And Hayes, recognizing that his path to representing Team USA is likely closed, is stepping up.
The former top-10 pick from the 2019 NBA Draft sees an opportunity - not just to play meaningful basketball on the international stage, but to potentially chase a medal with one of the game’s brightest stars. And for Dončić, bringing Hayes into the Slovenian fold could be a savvy move, adding size, athleticism, and familiarity to a team that’s always punched above its weight.
Slovenia’s hopes rest on more than just Dončić’s brilliance - they need depth, they need size, and they need players who can thrive in the high-stakes, high-intensity environment of international play. If Hayes’ paperwork goes through, he could be exactly the kind of reinforcement that helps push Slovenia deeper into tournament runs. And with Dončić pulling the strings, that pick-and-roll connection might just become a problem for the rest of the world.