Jackson Hayes decided to play with Luka Doncic in the selection

That’s because he wants to compete in major international competitions, and because he’s blocked from Team USA Jackson Hayes he would like to recover a Slovenian passport. The Lakers pivot confirmed on Sunday that he has taken steps to become Luka Doncic’s teammate. Objective? Play the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.

“Team USA does not organize real open selections”, did he regret it. “Honestly, I don’t think some of the guys that are invited to training camp have any business being there. Me, I just want to play at that level. … I’ll do whatever it takes to get that opportunity.”

His agent Bill Duffy has already helped Anthony Randolph through this naturalization process, and the former Warriors and Wolves winger won the 2017 EuroBasket with Luka Doncic. This same Duffy is none other than agent… Doncic, and he conveyed the idea to Jackson Hayes. former Dallas point guard arrives in Los Angeles.

Privileged relationship for the Lakers?

For JJ Redick, such an experience could only be positive for the player and… the Lakers.

“When I look back on my experiences with Team USA, and I’ve had a few, they’ve all been invaluable because you learn a lot from being around great players,” the Lakers coach reminded. “And then, we discover another way of playing. International basketball is very different. And for him, if it comes to fruition, developing this connection and these automatisms with Luka would be fantastic.”

The “connection” that Jackson Hayes used during his last outing with the Kings, and he intends to perfect it while Deandre Ayton is still learning to play with Luka Doncic. “When you start playing with a new center or a new leader, there is always an adjustment period”, he reminds. “You find out how he likes you to set screens, how he wants you to open up towards the rim… Those are small details. You also find out where he prefers to give you the ball. Simply, these two (Doncic and Ayton) are getting to know each other, like Luka and I did last year.”