EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Jaxson Hayes enjoys playing with Luka Doncic so much on the Los Angeles Lakers that the 7-footer is trying to spend his summers playing for the Slovenian national team with Doncic, too.

Hayes said Sunday that his and Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, broached the idea with Hayes about playing for Slovenia even before Doncic was traded to Los Angeles last winter.

The 25-year-old center, who was born in Norman, Oklahoma, said the Slovenian national team allows one naturalized citizen on its roster for international competitions, and Hayes is pursuing a Slovenian passport to occupy that spot.

Part of Hayes' motivation was fueled by USA Basketball's selection process for its men's national team.

"USA doesn't do open tryouts," Hayes said. "And I feel like

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