Jaxson Hayes completes paperwork, eligible to play with Luka Doncic and Slovenia

Ever since Luka Doncic joined the Los Angeles Lakers following last year's trade from the Dallas Mavericks, he's become fast friends with Los Angeles' backup center Jaxson Hayes.

So much so, that the duo discussed playing together for the Slovenian national team.

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Hayes is now officially eligible to compete for Slovenia. 

“Jaxson Hayes completed the paperwork to become a Slovenian,” Windhorst said. “He can join the Slovenian national team for Luka, which I’d like to say is one of the smartest things Jaxson Hayes has ever done because I think he’s just secretly signed a contract extension.”

As Windhorst points out, given the friendship between him and Hayes, there's a high probability that the Lakers keep him beyond this season due to that relationship.

Not to mention, for the money he's earning ($3.4 million) Hayes hasn't been a bad addition.

In 45 games for Los Angeles this season, he's averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and one assist. Hayes is also benefitting from the strong passing ability of both Doncic and LeBron James, averaging a career-high 77.2% from the field, as the duo has helped him find easy looks inside the paint.

As long as Hayes can continue to play the pick-and-roll well with Los Angeles' ball-handlers, he'll have the opportunity to be effective in the Lakers' offense.

That said, at 7' 0", Hayes could be a bit better defensively, having never averaged one block or more in seven seasons.

Either way, it appears Hayes could be a Laker for many seasons to come.

Doncic and Hayes will return to action following the All-Star break Feb. 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

More NBA news:

• Lonzo Ball calls himself the 'scapegoat' following trade from Cavaliers
• Spurs' Mason Plumlee deal foreshadows another move to come
• Giannis Antetokounmpo praises Kon Knueppel: 'One of the smartest rookies I’ve ever seen'
• Carter Bryant reveals what happened on final dunk attempt
• Tyrese Maxey: 'I feel a lot less out of place' after second All-Star appearance
• Kon Knueppel speaks after third-place in three-point contest