Jaxson Hayes feels ready for elevated role without Anthony Davis

With Anthony Davis now gone, Los Angeles Lakers is back with Jaxson Hayes as their lonely healthy full -time center on the guard schedule.

Christian Wood has been out throughout the season with a knee injury, while Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison III are backup options on two -way contracts and thus limited to a certain amount of games. Hayes, meanwhile, has served as the starting center, although he is more diversity lower as a player than anyone as Davis.

While Hayes may not be the same caliber of player, he will greatly benefit from playing with Luka Doncic, whom he noticed was happy to work with.

“Yes, of course, it’s really exciting with everything going on,” Hayes said after practice on Wednesday. “Obviously, we will miss our guys and Max and J. Hood. But there are a lot of changes that come on. Many of us guys have to take full advantage of it, like me. Have to go up. So I’m really excited to get to play with Luka. He is an amazing facilitator, one of the best LOB -Forbipending in the league. So I’m just really excited to get to work with him. “

Without Davis, Hayes has a way to several minutes and expressed how good a situation he is in now.

“You are obviously, just as where you are in the NBA, you have to try to make the most of it. Try to give a name to yourself. But as evidently, like better care for better players. And I personally feel that I feel that this may be one of the best passes as team -wise for guys that I can play with personally. It’s just me selfish. I’m really excited about it. I’m just really excited to get to work. “

In the end, Lakers has been open to their desire to add another great man, and while Hayes thinks the team is fine as it is, he would welcome another center.

“I want to have a good time. Obviously, it would definitely love to have another big with me, ”Hayes admitted. “And then not be the only one, only five right now besides our younger guys. But if a trade happens I would love it. It would only be good for the team. So of course I would be happy about it. And still draws full advantage of my minutes. “

Overall, the center position must be addressed at the trade deadline to give Los Angeles a legitimate shot to compete for a title. Hayes is fine in a backup role, but an upgrade is badly needed.

Jaxson Hayes feels very prepared on elevated role with Anthony Davis away

Anthony Davis was the heart and soul of the lakers at both ends of the floor, but Hayes feels prepared to take on more responsibility.

“I feel like I’m very prepared,” Hayes said. “God’s blessed me with a lot of talents and a lot of abilities, and I’m fully ready to take full advantage of it. And blessed me with this opportunity now, with the new team and with all the new guys, and then just ready to take advantage of it. “

It’s good to hear Hayes embraces the change, but it’s left to see how effective he wants to be in a bigger role.

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