Jaxson

Hayes

After a bad outing against the Grizzlies, he was much better in this game, especially in the second half. They kept him to close the game; he got several lobs and played good defense. He’s useful as a streamer until Jusuf Nurkic comes back but expect that there will be games where he starts and doesn’t do very much.

With Jusuf Nurkić (toe) out for at least four weeks, Hayes is likely to be Utah’s starting center come Opening Night. He didn’t offer much rebounding value on Monday, and over his career, Hayes averages 5.8 rebounds per game when he starts. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect much from him as a starter, but Hayes’s biggest value will be letting Jaren Jackson Jr. stay at power forward.

Nurkić, who was on track to be Utah’s starting center, suffered a partial plantar plate tear in the second toe on his right foot. As a result, he’ll miss four weeks before being re-evaluated. Nurkić’s absence opens a spot in the starting lineup. While Utah could slide Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. down a position, the latter is a better power forward than a center. Ace Bailey and Jaxson Hayes are two potential replacements in the starting five, with the latter being the choice if Jazz head coach Will Hardy prefers to leave Jackson at the four.

Hayes joined the Jazz in the offseason after Utah traded Walker Kessler to the Lakers, and Hayes will serve as a backup option at center as he’s done throughout his career. He’s got appeal in deep leagues as a blocks specialist, but he’s unlikely to see big minutes as Utah has a deep frontcourt rotation.

Hayes, 26, is a seven-year NBA veteran who spent the first four years of his career with the Pelicans. He was with the Lakers for the last three years, serving as the backup center. Hayes averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds with Los Angeles. He should have a similar role with the Jazz, who just lost a center in Walker Kessler via a sign and trade with the Lakers.

Vanderbilt dislocated his right pinky finger during the first half of Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Thunder, finishing with six minutes played. While the Lakers haven’t ruled Vanderbilt out yet, he’s listed as doubtful for Thursday’s Game 2. Jaxson Hayes had three points in 16 minutes off the bench in Game 1 and could see similar minutes if Vanderbilt is ruled out.

Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a forearm that he delivered to the head of Rockets center Alperen Şengün. The Lakers center played 25 minutes, finishing with 19 points (9-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 10 rebounds and one blocked shot. Ayton’s early exit, the first of his NBA career, means more playing time for Jaxson Hayes.

Hayes hasn’t taken the floor since April 5 against the Mavericks, as a foot injury has kept him on the sidelines. However, the injury-hit Lakers get a bit of good news on Friday, as the athletic center’s name is no longer on the injury report. He’ll likely come off the bench in his return.

Hayes will remain sidelined for a fourth straight game, which means the Lakers will turn to Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber for the backup center minutes. However, that hasn’t led to much production for either player.

Even with the Lakers still in play for the No. 3 seed in the West heading into the final day of the regular season, they may prioritize giving LeBron some rest, given the workload he has shouldered recently. As for Hayes, he has missed the Lakers’ last three games, resulting in more playing time for Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber.