Jaxson Hayes

A fluctuating role and subpar play early in the season led to Hayes starting the year slowly. However, he picked things up later in the year. During his final 33 appearances, the sophomore averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.8 minutes while shooting 59.2 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the free-throw line. He'll again be a backup center this season, but this time to Jonas Valanciunas rather than Steven Adams, as the Pelicans swapped the two during the offseason. Hayes will also be competing with Willy Hernangomez for reserve minutes, and there's potential for Zion Williamson to see minutes as a small-ball five. Given the situation, it will be difficult for Hayes to make a fantasy impact outside of deep leagues.

The lottery pick played a minimal role for New Orleans as a rookie, though he made an impact when on the court. Hayes averaged 7.4 points, 4.0 boards and 1.3 combined blocks/steals across 16.9 minutes as a primary reserve in the frontcourt. With absences of Derrick Favors and Zion Williamson throughout the year, Hayes drew 14 starts and performed well in that role, averaging 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a starter. Hayes proved himself a reliable rim protector and rebounder in his first season, notching three double-doubles and providing 13 games with at least two blocks. Derrick Favors is back with Utah, but the team added veterans Steven Adams and Willy Hernangomez to the center rotation. Hayes should be the first big man off the bench for New Orleans, and if he can find regular minutes in the rotation, he's got some deeper-league fantasy value.

Hayes' freshman season was cut short by what looked like a serious knee injury, but an MRI ultimately revealed no structural damage, and he was able to participate in summer league. Hayes, who averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game at Texas, is a terrific frontcourt athlete and shot-blocker, but there are still plenty of questions surrounding his abilities on offense. That said, he was surprisingly effective on offense in summer league, averaging 16.3 points on 10.8 shots. He also added 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 24.3 minutes in four contests. While the Pelicans showed plenty of confidence in Hayes by drafting him eighth overall, the 19-year-old has competition for playing time. Derrick Favors, Jahlil Okafor and Zion Williamson are all candidates to see action at center, which could cut into Hayes' workload. It might be tough for the rookie to carve out a standard-league fantasy role right out of the gate, but it's possible he'll make for a streaming option for blocks and field-goal percentage.