Charlotte Hornets NBA Draft: Jaxson Hayes should be a top option

Jaxson Hayes, a freshman center from Texas, is one of the top centers in the 2019 NBA Draft and should be a top option for the Charlotte Hornets.

It’s no secret that the Charlotte Hornets are in need of a young front court prospect, and with where they are expected to be picking in June’s NBA Draft, I believe they should make Jaxson Hayes a top target.

Hayes played one season at Texas, and showed a ton of potential throughout the season. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year has one of the higher upsides in the entire draft, which should intrigue the Hornets and other teams around the league.

About Jaxson Hayes

Height: 6’11”

Weight: 220 pounds

Wingspan: 7’4″

2018-19 stats: 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 73% FG, 23.3 minutes

Strengths:

• Tremendous size and length
• Rim protection
• Great athlete, instant lob threat
• Finishing around the basket, takes smart shots
• Still just 18 years old

Weaknesses:

• Doesn’t have a good outside game at this point
• Needs to add strength

I think Hayes has a chance to be a really special center at the next level. He reminds me a lot of Houston’s Clint Capela. They have near identical measurements and play the same brand of basketball.

As much as I like Cody Zeller, the Hornets have lacked true rim protection over the years, and Hayes can help in that area from day one. He has all the tools to become an elite shot blocker and defender in the NBA.

His massive upside should guarantee him to be a lottery pick. If he did slip out of the lottery, I would be shocked. He may be the best center overall in this draft and has All-Star potential, in my opinion.

Hayes will fit right into today’s NBA. He has the ability to switch and guard on the perimeter, which is crucial in today’s game. That’s just another aspect that makes him so incredibly promising on the defensive end of the floor.

He’s really good offensively, too. Dunks are the best shot in basketball, and Hayes does that consistently. He’ll be a really good alley-oop threat thanks to his length and mobility. He knows what he is, and that’s a rim protecting finisher.

Pairing him up with some of the other young players that the Hornets have like Miles Bridges and Malik Monk would make for a really fun group. All three players possess some serious athleticism that will make your jaw drop to the floor at times.

On March 9th, Hayes scored a career-high 19 points against TCU. Texas lost the game, but Hayes showcased some of that potential, adding seven rebounds in the loss. He also shot 5-5 from the free-throw line, showing that he has a smooth touch from the line.

Although it is unlikely, here’s hoping that the Hornets can move up during the NBA Draft Lottery. They are currently projected to pick 12th overall, and barring a miracle, it will likely stay that way.

I believe that Hayes is a perfect fit for what the Charlotte Hornets are doing, and I’d love to see him in teal. We’ll see how his pre-draft workouts go, but right now, all we can do is hope that he is available when the Hornets are on the clock.