Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has commended center Jaxson Hayes for his progress as a playmaker, particularly during situations when opponents double-team Luka Doncic in pick-and-roll plays. The strategy of blitzing Doncic forces the ball out of his hands and requires the screener to make decisions with the ball, an area where Hayes has shown improvement.
With Deandre Ayton sidelined, Hayes started against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday and delivered a notable performance, recording eight points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Redick praised Hayes after the game: “I thought that group to start the fourth quarter and then when Jaxson [Hayes] was out there with Luka, that execution offensively was high level,” Redick said. “Jaxson made multiple pocket decisions against the blitz. [He made] every type of read you can make, rim, corner, corner cut and slot. He threw the lob to Rui [Hachimura]. So, it just a high-level game from him.”
Hayes described his approach to these situations: “I just try to do my job,” he said. “When they’re in a drop I try to roll as quick as possible and get out of there and when they start blitzing Luka, I know I gotta short roll and just playmake out of there because I know most likely teams are gonna be pulling in because they don’t want me to get a free dunk so I just gotta make my reads from there and then if they’re not pulling in then I got a free dunk. If not, kick out for a 3 or a lob.”
The Lakers’ roster features both Ayton and Hayes as big men who can score inside and create opportunities for teammates. This versatility increases the team’s offensive options.
In another incident during the win over the Clippers, Doncic became involved in an altercation with Kris Dunn late in the game. Hayes intervened by shoving Dunn in support of Doncic and received a technical foul as a result. Doncic expressed gratitude for Hayes’ actions by offering to pay any fine resulting from the technical foul.
