2019 NBA Mock Draft: Full lottery impact on the first round

Age: 18
Height, Weight: 6-foot-11, 220 pounds
Slash Line: .728/.000/.748
Season Averages: 10.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.2 BPG

The Indiana Pacers had playoff success in their sights, until Victor Oladipo was lost to a torn quad midseason. This curbed their hopes at a deep postseason run, resulting in a 4-0 loss to the Boston Celtics in the first round.

Now, Indiana must regroup. They still have Myles Turner, but most of their core will hit free agency, including Thaddeus Young, Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic. They need help all over the roster if they all leave, with all positions in need of an upgrade or depth.

Texas’ Jaxson Hayes can impact Indiana’s frontcourt. While a raw talent, this is the Big 12’s latest center who has a long wingspan and is a shot-blocking force. Mohamed Bamba stood out more as a freshman, but the Longhorns’ most recent freshman stud had a positive showing.

Hayes’ 2.2 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game are terrific. His 3.8 blocks in the Per 40 Minutes numbers place a greater microscope on this. He played somewhat like New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who grew into their most exciting player at season’s end. That’s not to identically compare these players, but both are raw at the offensive end and rim-running protectors.

The upside is long-term for Hayes, but down the road, he can make for an exciting pairing with Turner and lead Indiana into their next phase.