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Why Is Jaxson Hayes Not Playing

Published: 2025-05-01 08:58:09 5 min read

Why Is Jaxson Hayes Not Playing? Unpacking the Complexities Behind the Bench Jaxson Hayes, the 6’11” center drafted 8th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, was once heralded as a high-flying rim protector with untapped potential.

Yet, in recent seasons, his playing time has dwindled, leaving fans and analysts puzzled.

Is it due to performance, coaching decisions, off-court issues, or deeper systemic factors in the NBA? This investigation delves into the multifaceted reasons behind Hayes’ absence from the court, scrutinizing on-court struggles, team dynamics, legal controversies, and the league’s evolving priorities.

Thesis Statement Jaxson Hayes’ lack of playing time stems from a confluence of factors: inconsistent on-court performance, a shifting NBA meta that devalues traditional big men, off-court legal troubles damaging his reputation, and organizational decisions prioritizing other players all of which have marginalized his role despite his raw athleticism.

On-Court Struggles: The Limitations of a One-Dimensional Big Hayes entered the league as a project a hyper-athletic but raw big man with limited offensive polish.

While his dunking and shot-blocking dazzled early, his shortcomings became glaring.

Per Basketball-Reference, his career averages (7.

5 PPG, 4.

0 RPG) pale in comparison to other lottery picks.

Advanced metrics reveal deeper flaws: a -1.

3 career Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) and a 58.

7% free-throw rate, making him a liability in late-game situations.

The NBA’s shift toward stretch bigs and switchable defenders has further exposed Hayes.

Teams now prioritize centers who shoot threes (e.

g., Brook Lopez) or defend multiple positions (e.

g., Bam Adebayo).

Hayes’ inability to space the floor (career 28.

6% from three) or guard perimeter players has rendered him a relic in today’s pace-and-space game.

Team Dynamics: A Crowded Frontcourt and Coaching Preferences The Pelicans’ roster construction has also sidelined Hayes.

With Zion Williamson’s return and the emergence of Larry Nance Jr.

as a versatile small-ball five, Hayes’ role diminished.

Head coach Willie Green’s system emphasizes defensive versatility and ball movement, areas where Hayes has struggled.

Green’s preference for Jonas Valančiūnas a traditional but skilled center further marginalized Hayes.

Valančiūnas’ scoring and rebounding (14.

1 PPG, 10.

2 RPG in 2022-23) provided stability, while Hayes’ erratic play made him a situational backup.

The Pelicans’ playoff push in 2023 prioritized veterans over developmental projects, leaving Hayes on the outside looking in.

Off-Court Troubles: Legal Issues and Reputation Damage Hayes’ July 2021 arrest for resisting arrest and battery on a police officer cast a long shadow.

Bodycam footage showed a violent altercation, sparking public outcry.

Though charges were later reduced, the incident damaged his standing within the organization.

The NBA’s increased emphasis on player conduct especially after the Kyrie Irving and Miles Bridges controversies made teams wary of investing in players with legal baggage.

Sources within the Pelicans organization (speaking anonymously to ESPN) hinted that Hayes’ off-court behavior contributed to a loss of trust with coaching staff.

While he avoided suspension, the team’s decision to limit his minutes suggests a quiet distancing.

League-Wide Trends: The Decline of the Traditional Center Hayes’ predicament reflects a broader NBA trend.

Traditional centers who can’t shoot or defend in space are being phased out.

Data from Cleaning the Glass shows that the percentage of offensive possessions involving post-ups has dropped by 37% since 2014.

Teams now favor positionless lineups, leaving players like Hayes who lack perimeter skills struggling to adapt.

Comparisons to similar players underscore this.

Mo Bamba, another athletic but flawed big, saw his role shrink before reviving it with improved shooting.

Hayes, however, hasn’t shown comparable growth.

Alternative Perspectives: Is Hayes Being Misused? Some analysts argue Hayes’ potential is being wasted.

The Athletic’s Will Guillory noted that Hayes’ per-36-minute stats (14.

3 PPG, 7.

5 RPG) suggest he could thrive with more opportunity.

Others point to his age (23) and argue that with proper development, he could still evolve.

However, counterarguments highlight his low basketball IQ and poor decision-making.

Film analysis by BBallBreakdown shows frequent defensive misreads and offensive fouls, reinforcing why coaches hesitate to play him.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale of Unfulfilled Potential Jaxson Hayes’ absence from the rotation is not a single-issue problem but a perfect storm of skill deficiencies, roster dynamics, off-court issues, and league evolution.

While his athleticism tantalizes, his inability to adapt to the modern NBA has sealed his fate for now.

The broader implication is clear: the league’s Darwinian demands leave little room for one-dimensional players.

Hayes’ career crossroads serves as a cautionary tale for raw prospects and a reminder that potential alone isn’t enough.

Whether he can reinvent himself as players like Robert Williams III did remains an open question, but time is running out.