{"id":123275,"date":"2025-02-11T14:33:39","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T19:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=123275"},"modified":"2025-02-11T14:33:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T19:33:39","slug":"lakers-luka-lebron-jaxson-hayes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/11\/lakers-luka-lebron-jaxson-hayes\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron Not the Only Beneficiary of Luka on the Lakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> made his long-anticipated Lakers debut Monday night, recording 14 points, five rebounds and four assists as LA defeated the Utah Jazz 132-113. From the opening tip, it was evident how Doncic would adjust to the Lakers\u2019 system, by playing his game and, at the <\/span>urging<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>, being himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

But LeBron is not the only one who will benefit from Doncic\u2019s presence. The Don\u2019s arrival could enhance the play of LA\u2019s starting center, <\/span>Jaxson Hayes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

LeBron Not the Only Beneficiary of Luka on the Lakers<\/h2>\n

Hayes Eyed Doncic as Teammate for Years<\/b><\/h3>\n

The connection between Hayes and Doncic goes back to before they were even teammates. Following the Lakers\u2019 win over the Pacers on Feb. 8, the 24-year-old revealed the Mavericks kept pursuing him via trade when he was on the Pelicans.<\/span><\/p>\n

“When he was in Dallas and I was in New Orleans my first few years, they kept trying to trade for me,” <\/span>Hayes told ESPN\u2019s Dave McMenamin<\/span><\/a>. “New Orleans never allowed it. He was like, ‘Do you remember when we couldn’t trade for you?’ I was like, ‘Do you remember what I told you after every game I played against you?’ After every game I would be like, ‘If you ever need a big, I would love to play with you.’ Just because of the way he moves the ball.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Hayes\u2019 wish was granted on the Lakers\u2019 second possession against the Jazz, when Doncic euro-stepped to the hoop before lobbing the ball up to the 7-footer—the first of many connections between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Luka Doncic with the LOB to Jaxson Hayes \ud83d\ude24pic.twitter.com\/cvTpsdnLCa<\/a><\/p>\n

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n