Lakers' 7-foot center plans to play with Slovenian national team alongside Luka Doncic

Competing alongside Luka Doncic is a dream come true for athletic lob threats who consistently roll hard to the rim. 

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 7-foot center has made it clear he’s had fun playing complementary two-man basketball with Doncic thus far, stating that if possible, he’ll join Doncic on the Slovenian national team in the foreseeable future.

“Jaxson Hayes enjoys playing with Luka Doncic so much on the Los Angeles Lakers that the 7-footer is trying to spend his summers playing for the Slovenian national team with Doncic, too,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Sunday.

“Hayes said Sunday that his and Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, broached the idea with Hayes about playing for Slovenia even before Doncic was traded to Los Angeles last winter.”

“The 25-year-old center, who was born in Norman, Oklahoma, said the Slovenian national team allows one naturalized citizen on its roster for international competitions, and Hayes is pursuing a Slovenian passport to occupy that spot.”

Hayes’ 2024-25 campaign was highlighted by his late-season benching. Still, it’s worth noting that the Texas product’s rapport with Doncic was beautiful to witness after the Lakers’ midseason blockbuster trade for the former Dallas Mavericks star. 

Hayes averaged 9.8 points on a remarkable 79.7% shooting from the field in March, recording several double-figure scoring outings in the process. 

Hayes was forced to serve as a spectator for the postseason, though, leaving the Lakers without a starting center for the first-round match-up against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Although Deandre Ayton will start at center for the Lakers this season, it’s challenging to imagine JJ Redick keeping Doncic’s favorite pick-and-roll partner in the doghouse this season, as he should receive valuable minutes as a backup big man.

If Hayes and Doncic's chemistry continues to improve, it wouldn't be surprising to witness the two wreak havoc at the international level in due time.

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