re: The case for keeping Jaxson Hayes

quote:

---

Butler is intriguing, about 190 soaking wet so he’d likely have the same issues as Jax anchoring a defense.

---

Butler was 174 at the combine. 4 lbs on Kira but a foot taller. He's not doing anything in the post.

Right, it’s a grown man’s game in the paint. Very few bigs, regardless of athleticism or skill, are prepared for post duty their first few years.

quote:

---

he’s a tall guard from the highlights I saw

---

Which is what they told Jaxson to focus on being.

Not sure if this is a legit comp for Jaxson's contract since Bamba isn't a guard, but this wouldn't be too bad.

quote:

---

Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto 56m

Sources: The Orlando Magic signed Mo Bamba to a two-year, $20.6 million deal, which is fully non-guaranteed for the 2023-24 season, @hoopshype has learned.

---

In what world is Hayes a rim protector?

Maybe in full transition and help defense situations and even then it’s nothing special

Let's just take everyone to camp, see how they report, then make a decision on who to flip. Jaxson, Graham, etc have some value around the league but let's see who shows up focused, improved, well paired with Zion and what we need most from the players we already have rostered.

On the other hand, if EJ turns out to have more than a sprain, then we don't need to open a roster spot.

He does need to work on his physicality in the paint. He looks the part but he still has to get the mentality to bang down low. That come in time. He shows promise in playing 2-4 position and we need to find ways to get him on the court as much as possible.

I hate being late to a Jaxson Hayes thread.

quote:

---

Pretty much this.

---

So you think he's getting 20 million per? Or 4 or 5 years for 20?

quote:

---

That means our options are-

Trade him now
Sign and trade next offseason
Match his offer next offseason then be stuck with him at least one more season

Honestly? Unless we see him making a HUGE jump this season, I say to cut bait now and look into using Trey, Nance, and EJ to fill his minutes.

---

You chose the worst of the three options. He's progressed every year, even if he progresses a little more, his value goes up. He is not going to cut into Treys minutes. Lineups are going to be so staggered this year it makes my brain hurt just thinking about it, but Jaxson isn't stealing Trey minutes. EJ, come on? He's only 1 year younger than Jaxson and he's not going to make an impact this year, him sitting on the bench is not a big deal. Jaxson can make an impact this year. He was drafted to ideally be a perfect next to Zion, and we haven't gotten to see that yet.

His trade value right now is low enough that if it drops, you're not going to be getting much difference in trade. But an improved Jaxson will get you a pretty decent return. And even better, if he is a really good rim runner with Zion, you have a guy you want on your roster.

Trading him right now is the worst time to trade him.

I think most people recognize he has a pretty high ceiling. But it has been clear for a while that it most likely will be years down the road and on a different team. But I don't really have a reason to think that he won't get better and all that does is either increase his trade value, or if he fits well with Zion, see if we can get his next contract cheap. I don't know what his next contract is projecting at, but it's not as much as this board seems to think.