If you didn't know who Jaxson Hayes was before Monday night, you'll now know after these highlights.
While the NBA Summer League isn't usually known for producing eye-popping highlights, it did this time around. Hayes was the No. 8 overall draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and was traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick De'Andre Hunter.
Although all eyes have been on the Pelicans' No. 1 draft choice Zion Williamson, it was Hayes who stole the spotlight on Monday night with Williamson out for the remainder of Summer League due to a knee injury. Hayes produced not one -- but two ridiculous highlights on both ends of the floor.
First of all, let me introduce you to Hayes' ridiculously high vertical leap as he showed on this dunk over a Chicago Bulls defender.
Allow @hayes_jaxson to introduce himself! 🔨😳#NBASummer pic.twitter.com/1xaDAwqblF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 9, 2019
And he didn't stop there -- he also showed off his skills with an authoritative block on the defensive end on NBA guard Walter Lemon Jr.
.@hayes_jaxson is making his presence felt in his #NBASummer debut! 🚫 pic.twitter.com/WKnFPKw0Fo
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 9, 2019
The fact that Hayes is vastly outplaying the guy that he was traded for -- Hunter -- makes the topic even more worth discussing. The 19-year-old Hayes scored 28 points on 10-of-15 from the field with three blocks and four rebounds. Meanwhile, the Hawks' Hunter vastly struggled on 2-of-8 shooting from the field, scoring just six points in 21 minutes as Atlanta lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blowout, 90-66, on Sunday.
Considering this is Hayes' debut with the Pelicans-- the trade was not completed until Sunday -- it has to get New Orleans fans at least a little bit excited when considering the possibilities between their two teenage draft picks.
Meanwhile, it may be just one summer league game in, but Hawks fans have to feel a little sour about the athletic forward they could have had to pair alongside Trae Young.