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Toronto Raptors: 4 players 23 and younger Raps could acquire

By Mike Luciano

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Jaxson Jayes, Toronto Raptors
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 09: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

2. Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans

Hayes was picked No. 10 overall by New Orleans the same year that Zion Williamson went No. 1 overall, as the Herculean Williamson at power forward and nimble Hayes at center could give the Pelicans a super-young, super-talented frontcourt of the future. Hayes has been solid, but far from a Top 10 pick.

7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in his second season is by no means a standout statline, and starting just 17 games in two years isn’t ideal either. Williamson and Brandon Ingram will be the 1-2 punch that takes New Orleans to the promised land, meaning they could jettison Hayes if they feel Zion by himself has the frontcourt locked down.

Jaxson Hayes could give the Raptors a starter at center.

Hayes will not be anything more than a fourth scoring option in New Orleans, meaning that a trade elsewhere could potentially be better for his stats. Hayes won’t lead the Raptors in scoring, but Birch had a huge production bump, and Hayes could be in for a similar rise.

Hayes can block shots, rebound, and run the floor. If he can work on becoming a better passer out of the post and at least become a minor threat shooting the ball, Hayes could end up becoming a center that the Raptors could lean on for years to come. If he’s available, Toronto needs to bite.