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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Fallout from Zion Williamson’s injury gives others a chance to shine

By Brendon Kleen

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 19: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the Texas Longhorns reacts as Brady Manek #35 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks by during second half action at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 19: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the Texas Longhorns reacts as Brady Manek #35 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks by during second half action at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

142. . C. Texas. Jaxson Hayes. 7. player

Where do consistency end and a lack of impact begin? What separates a player who makes his mark on every game at the expense of others from a different sort of player who falls in line but rarely stands out? This is the Jaxson Hayes Conundrum.

Hayes’ season high in points? Twelve. Rebounds? Try 11. Perhaps blocks are the single countable number we can point to as a way of hyping Hayes and singling out one area in which he shows out compared with his opposition. Hayes has blocked at least three shots in 11 of his 27 games and this week set his career high in blocked shots with six in a last-second loss to Oklahoma.

You could convince us that Washington needs more of a difference-maker with what could be their only top-10 pick for awhile. Perhaps they want more of a playmaker to complement Bradley Beal and John Wall after shipping out Kelly Oubre Jr. and Otto Porter Jr. midseason. However, we land on the side that says Hayes being the role-playeriest role player in the country at this point is exciting rather than disappointing.

What is a traditional big man with limited playmakers around him to do that Hayes is not currently doing? Texas’ middling offense doesn’t give Hayes an opportunity to score many points and there’s only so much a rim protector can do without athletic difference-makers around him.

Don’t mistake Hayes’ quiet stat lines for lack of growth or talent. He’s very good already and the NBA will help bring the best out of him.

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