Lakers Bring Back Jaxson Hayes on 1-Year Deal
Jaxson Hayes has signed a one-year deal $3 million to return to the Lakers. This will be Hayes’s third season in LA, and his deal also includes a no-trade clause.
BREAKING: Jaxson Hayes is signing a 1-year deal to return to the Lakers 👀
LAL gets their backup center ✅ pic.twitter.com/abJaPl0npF
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 3, 2025
Hayes appeared in 56 games in the 2024-25 season and became the starting center for the Lakers after they traded Anthony Davis in a deal for Luka Doncic.
Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and an assist per game while shooting an efficient 72.2 percent from the field.
The 25-year-old improved throughout the regular season after the Lakers acquired Doncic. Hayes’s ability as a lob threat complements Doncic well.
However, in the playoffs, Hayes was played off the floor, and the Lakers had to run a small-ball lineup with Dorian Finney-Smith at the center position.
Heading into next season, Hayes’ role should be reduced, as LA has signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16 million deal with a player option for the 2026-27 season.
Ayton will be the starter for the Purple and Gold, returning Hayes to a bench role. In a limited role, Hayes could be effective as a lob threat and solid backup in the regular season.
However, if the Lakers truly want to be title contenders, they should look for another big man. If they enter the season with Hayes as their third-string center, that would be a major turnaround in their big man depth.
LA has shown interest in veteran center Al Horford, who would provide floor spacing and defense.
Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have been active, but have more work to do. The additions of Jake LaRavia and Ayton are solid, but the Western Conference will be a gauntlet. With Jaxson Hayes back on the team, it’ll be interesting to see if Pelinka adds another center.
