2019 NBA Mock Draft: Learning from the playoffs
Texas. Jaxson Hayes. 12. player. 170. . C
Our most interesting case study in the face of what’s happening in the 2019 playoffs is Hayes, who more closely resembles the defensive anchors who are struggling — Rudy Gobert and Jarrett Allen — than the guys who are excelling guarding in space. Hayes will have to prove, like all traditional big men, that he can do enough on defense to stay on the court in the postseason.
That should be the least of Charlotte’s concerns right now. The Hornets have little in the way of interior production as Cody Zeller struggles to stay healthy and Marvin Williams comes back down to earth after a strong 2017-18 season. Hayes is a clear upgrade.
Hayes not only gives Kemba Walker — should he return to Charlotte — a reliable downhill threat to partner with in the pick-and-roll but raises the floor for a defense that ranked 22nd in the NBA. Big men like Hayes are undoubtedly impactful during the regular season. They are deterrents at the rim (Hayes blocked 10.6 percent of opponent field-goal attempts this season at Texas) and trustworthy finishers inside.
When the stakes are higher, Hayes will have more to prove. He dropped very far back guarding ball-handlers for the Longhorns as is Shaka Smart’s preference, but that means we don’t know a ton about how Hayes will look if his NBA destination prefers switching or playing more aggressive defense.
Considering the baseline for the Hornets’ talent today, Hayes is the type of drastic upgrade you grab and don’t look back.