Wherever Luka Doncic goes, he works his charm with his teammates first. His former Mavs teammate Daniel Gafford once flirted with the idea of joining Slovenia’s national team. Just so he could play alongside Luka Doncic. Until last year, he openly considered naturalizing to team up with Luka during summer competitions. Though he ultimately cited timing and family commitments as obstacles. Nonetheless, he left the door ajar for future possibilities. But then Doncic was traded away in February.

With Luka’s arrival in Los Angeles, one of his Lakers teammates is trying to follow in Gafford’s footsteps. Jaxson Hayes recently revealed he is “working on getting Slovenian citizenship so I can play with him next summer,” acknowledging his desire to represent Luka’s home country. Nothing is finalized yet; it is a matter of chance that will make all the difference.

Jaxson Hayes’ plans to join Slovenia’s national team

Following the Lakers’ preseason matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, the 25-year-old center sparked headlines. He hinted at pursuing Slovenian citizenship, a move that would allow him to join Luka Doncic on the international stage. Hayes’ performance has improved after Luka joined the Lakers. He put up an impressive 12 points and 10 rebounds in that game.

Marc Stein on X confirmed his desire to play with Luka internationally. “Luka is my guy. We’re working on getting Slovenian citizenship so I can play with him next summer.”

The Slovenian Basketball Federation confirmed that discussions are underway to naturalize a new center, aligning with Hayes’ comments. While officials stopped short of naming names, the timing feels far from coincidental. “As previously mentioned, we are exploring the possibility of a new naturalized player in the center position. We are aiming to secure this player for a longer period to ensure the team’s stability in the coming years. At this stage, we cannot disclose names or details. Once all matters are finalized and the procedures successfully completed, we will inform the public,” a federation spokesperson told RTV SLO.

Their goal is to bring long-term stability to the national roster. But will Hayes or even Gafford be able to bring that? Can a desire to play in the national team of a different country be enough to make such decisions? Make no mistake, it is not impossible. If at all it happens, then Hayes could be the next American-born addition to Slovenia’s national team.

Hayes was drafted eighth overall in 2019 by the New Orleans Pelicans. After joining the Lakers in 2023, Hayes has maintained a steady presence within the team. He has appeared in 367 NBA games with averages of 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds. Now the question arises: is Hayes ready to become Luka Doncic’s newest partner in a Slovenian jersey?

The Lakers connection and Hayes‑Doncic chemistry

Their partnership has already taken off. Hayes has been Luka’s pick-and-roll partner since February. But they have only played one preseason game together. When the Lakers faced Doncic’s former team on Thursday, the team lost by 121-94. Despite the loss, Hayes posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, for Doncic, who has only played one pre-season match against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, where he contributed 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in just over 22 minutes. Though in 5 pre-season games, the Lakers could only win one against the Golden State Warriors.

Even off the court, Hayes and Doncic have the same agent, Bill Duffy. This inevitably influences the way they sign their contracts. On July 6, 2025, Hayes agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.45 million, which was a figure above the 6-year NBA veteran’s minimum. Yet, Hayes waived off his implicit ‘no trade’ clause, allowing the Lakers to trade him to further strengthen the roster.

Meanwhile, Slovenia has already started preparing for the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers. The team must be exploring options to add a naturalized center to bolster the national team’s frontcourt. If everything falls into place, fans might soon see the Lakers’ dynamic duo reunite beyond the NBA spotlight.

Reactions and Implications of Hayes’ move

The news is received with mockery by most Lakers fans. It immediately ignited social media debates, with fans dissecting the move from every angle. Some questioned the fairness of current naturalization rules, pointing to precedents like Luka Larkin playing for Turkey and Dorsey representing Greece due to family ties.

One user wrote, “Great, they are getting along well, but the naturalized player rule needs reform. Larkin for Tur-playing there for ages, ok! Dorsey for Gre-Mum is from Greece, sure! Hayes for Slo-his buddy is from there-I mean, come on!” Suggesting that if Hayes does end up in the Slovenia team, it would be due to the Lakers star Doncic’s influence, without any real connection.

Some other fans expressed surprise at the way Hayes casually announced the news. They even expressed doubt, asking if Slovenia and Doncic were aware of Hayes’ intentions. “Does Luka and Slovenia know this???”

Meanwhile, some fans’ comparisons with Daniel Gafford resurfaced. Many pointed out that Gafford, Doncic’s former Mavericks teammate, might be a better fit for Slovenia. As Gafford himself once explained, “I think it’d be great. We already have a good relationship, but doing something like that could take it to the next level. It would give me a chance to see his background, learn about where he came from, and understand how he started his professional career. That would help us connect more.” Fans started drawing parallels between Hayes and Gafford. Their argument? They think that personal chemistry with Luka is just one factor in international eligibility.

Finally, some other observers questioned the real intention of Hayes behind such a move. They suggested that the uncertainty of the contract year may be fueling these moves. One fan said, “Contract year got these players acting crazy.”

Standard naturalization normally requires 10 years of residence, including 5 years of continuous residence immediately before applying (plus other criteria such as Slovene language competency, good character, and ties to Slovenia). However, extraordinary naturalization (for reasons of national interest, e.g., sport) can permit exceptions and faster routes. So, while this opportunity could enhance Hayes’ international profile, his focus on such aspirations might shift his priorities away from the Lakers, especially during a pivotal contract year.