When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Jaxson Hayes at the start of free agency, some fans wondered how he would perform within Darvin Ham’s plans.
Most people expected that he’d be a backup center behind Anthony Davis.
But NBA insider Dave McMenamin thinks that he could have a much bigger role.
Speaking to Zach Lowe on his show, McMenamin said Hayes might be a starter:
“It would not shock me if we saw Jaxson Hayes at the starting center to open up the season to see how that looks. But that doesn’t mean you’re not going to see Anthony Davis playing center in the fourth quarter. That’s winning time.”
In some ways, this idea is very surprising.
In other ways, it’s really not.
Hayes has yet to definitively prove himself during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans.
During his four years, he has averaged 7.5 points and 4 rebounds and only played more than 19 minutes per game during one season.
He has started in a handful of games but it isn’t a common occurrence.
At the same time, Davis has long made it clear that he doesn’t want to be the Lakers’ center and is much more comfortable as a power forward.
If Hayes were to start games, it would allow him to get more experience and would also give Davis a chance to play in a position he likes more.
Of course, if this proposed new lineup doesn’t work out well, you can bet that Ham will quickly change his approach and force Davis to be the big man again.
McMenamin admits this is all speculation and no definitive plans around Hayes have been made yet.
The Lakers went wild in the offseason and they acquired much more talent.
Now they have to figure out how they’ll use it.
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