With Pau Gasol fading into the ether, the Spurs need to address the frontcourt. Jaxson Hayes — an unheralded freshman coming into the season — is shooting up big boards, making him an ideal candidate.
At 6-foot-11, Hayes boasts excellent physical tools for the center position. He’s mobile enough to switch on the perimeter, but he also thrives as a rim protector. On the offensive end, his fluidity in the open court is impressive. Few bigs at Hayes’ size can move as gracefully in transition.
The Spurs would have two young bigs beyond LaMarcus Aldridge in Hayes and Jakob Poeltl, giving Gregg Popovich (or whoever’s coaching) decent flexibility. Hayes’ defensive upside is something San Antonio would surely appreciate, especially with Aldridge on the wrong side of 30.