Lakers News: Los Angeles Envisions Jaxson Hayes Fulfilling Similar Role To This 2020 Big

He could be steal if so!

After all the moves that the Los Angeles Lakers made to open free agency, most people really can't point to one of them and criticize. The only one that could maybe be a question is the signing of former New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes. Hayes hasn't lived up to the hype in his career yet but he is a solid backup big man that can be a lob threat and protect the rim. 

That is exactly how the Lakers plan to utilize him, similar to how the team used former center Dwight Howard back in 2020.

Sources confirm the Lakers and center Jaxson Hayes have agreed to 2 year deal. Lakers view Hayes as physical center like they had in Dwight Howard in 2020.

— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 1, 2023

LA doesn't need Hayes to be a scoring threat or to play big minutes either. They just need him to understand and execute his role. The team just needs him to stay close to the basket so he can catch lobs from teammates and then help protect the rim on the defensive end of the floor.

Hayes is a very athletic big man who has all sorts of high-flying dunk highlights. If he can continue that while executing even average defense, he will be a fan favorite with the Lakers.

your daily Jaxson Hayes dunk content pic.twitter.com/p9V9X7P3xR

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 21, 2021

With the Pelicans last season, Hayes averaged just five points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He only played about 13 minutes a game and was a regular on the New Orleans bench. At this point, Hayes looks to be the backup for Anthony Davis so he could get a little more playing time than he has seen.

LA is still searching for another big man to go alongside Hayes and Davis but this could be the season that Hayes unlocks some of the potential that had him get drafted 10th overall back in 2019.