Life in Hollywood has been pretty good for Jaxson Hayes ever since Luka Doncic joined the Los Angeles Lakers. The high-flying center was able to showcase immediate chemistry with the franchise's newest superstar, pivoting that into extending his stay in Los Angeles. Now, Hayes wants to do right by Doncic.
"That's my guy," Hayes told the media (h/t Iztok Franko). "We're working on getting me a Slovenian passport right now so I can play with him next summer."
The Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes said last night in Las Vegas that he is trying to secure a Slovenian passport to play alongside Luka Dončić on Slovenia’s national team as its naturalized player. https://t.co/vD6eqLtRvB
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 16, 2025
Doncic had an incredible run at EuroBasket 2025 this summer. The Slovenian superstar played so well for his national team that many would be forgiven for thinking he was the best player on the planet at the time.
Slovenia managed to exceed expectations and make it all the way to the quarterfinals of the tournament before losing 99-91 to the eventual champions, Germany. Doncic accomplished that herculean carry job without any other NBA player on the roster. Hayes could soon change that fact.
Hayes could make Luka’s wish come true by suiting up alongside him for Slovenia
This is not the first time Doncic has tried to bring one of his centers from the NBA to his national team. BasketNews reminded everyone that 'Slovenia had previously explored the idea of naturalizing Daniel Gafford.' That move never came to pass.
Doncic clearly has a type when it comes to his centers. Lob threats and rim runners are the type of big guys the superstar point guard loves to share the court with on the offensive end.
Gafford is a more reliable defender than Hayes on any day of the week. However, the issues with foul trouble that have plagued the Lakers center could be less noticeable on an international stage. FIBA referees typically allow for more contact than NBA officiating.
For Doncic, getting any type of support from his NBA teammates would be a massive gift. The generational talent was forced to take on an incredible heavy load to give Slovenia a proper fighting chance at EuroBasket 2025.
Doncic led the competition in scoring, averaging 34.7 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting from the field. The all-world talent added 8.6 rebounds (ranking eighth in the tournament) and 7.1 assists per game (ranking third) to go with the bucket-getting.
There was only one other teammate, Klemen Prepelic, who averaged double-digit points for Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025. Doncic-Hayes pick and roll sets should give Luka an outlet for some easy offense and consistent scoring support.
Doncic led Slovenia in all five major categories at the tournament. Hayes could at least give him someone who can change that in the next international go-around for the small European nation.