2019 NBA Mock Draft: No one in the lottery wants to lose

Hayes isn’t quite as explosive or productive as his counterparts to have come out of Texas the past five years under Shaka Smart, but he is just as interesting a prospect. That’s in part because of how the league has changed. Hayes is more mobile and quick than Mo Bamba, last year’s No. 6 pick, and in that way he’s more suited to play switching defense and roll down the middle on offense. His best NBA comparison may actually be Jarrett Allen, the 22nd pick in 2017 who also learned under Smart in Austin.

Allen is patient and plays within himself. He knows when and how to use his athleticism and length to affect plays. Hayes is much the same, potentially without the motor you would hope to see in a top prospect but nevertheless an impactful player on both ends.

In the clip above, we see Hayes step out toward the screen on the pick-and-roll, get into a stance to help contain the ball, and recover back toward his man to create a turnover. This shows the lower body strength, mobility and basketball IQ that Hayes has. He already looks like a great pick-and-roll defender.

Hayes is also great on the offensive glass, grabbing nearly two per game and nearly 10 percent of available Texas misses when he’s on the court. He is physical, all elbows and shoulders inside when a missed shot flies in the air. That physicality translates to the rim, where he’s blocking 11.2 percent of opponent shot attempts.

Altogether, it’s a package that could see Hayes rise even further into the top ten by draft night. Hayes doesn’t look like the high-ceiling option a rebuilding team like New Orleans would target but he has the chance to be a special modern big man.

Check out our full scouting report on Jaxson Hayes.