July 6: Hayes is officially back under contract with the Lakers, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link), Hayes actually got a slight raise to 120% above his minimum, so he’ll earn about $3.45MM in 2025/26.
July 3: Free agent center Jaxson Hayes is returning to the Lakers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides are in agreement on a one-year contract.
Hayes, 25, signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in 2023 and has appeared in 126 games for the team since then, averaging 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks with a 72.1% field goal percentage in 15.6 minutes per night.
The former eighth overall pick took on an increased role during the second half of last season following Anthony Davis‘ abdominal injury and the subsequent trade sending Davis to Dallas. Hayes’ last 32 outings of the regular season were starts, as he boosted his averages to 8.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.0 BPG in 21.9 MPG during that stretch.
Hayes’ starting role carried over to the postseason, but he struggled in the Lakers’ first-round series vs. Minnesota and was limited to single-digit minutes in each of the first four games before being removed as the starter for Game 5. While he was perhaps miscast as a starter, the seven-footer is a solid reserve option behind presumed starter Deandre Ayton in the middle.
Charania’s report doesn’t include any financial details on the deal, but it will likely be a minimum-salary contract, given that Hayes was earning the minimum for each of the past two seasons.
The Lakers now project to have 15 players under contract, assuming No. 36 pick Adou Thiero gets a standard roster spot, notes Jovan Buha (Twitter link). However, Shake Milton‘s $3MM salary is non-guaranteed, so the team has a little flexibility with that 15th spot. Jordan Goodwin also doesn’t have a guaranteed salary, though the expectation is that he’ll return after playing rotation minutes down the stretch last season.
He was better last year than the year before and likewise for last year. What more can you ask? Good on the lakers for rolling it back!
Looks like their team is set with very little wiggle room with money.
Got some nice wiggle in money w the Bae but only 1 slot to use it on w not much talent to pull from
Good sign for Gsw lakers prolly out on Horford now
Spot has to go to a defender , Melton a gamble but If they can get a 1 yr flat he can can be trade ballast at deadline ( again ) if he gets inj again
Has to be a defender with last spot , Melton or Coffey who I’m less familiar with but has some length
I think Goodwin sticks as he’s one of the only dawgs on the perimeter we have , I’d prolly just roll the dice on Melton w the 1 yr Bae and call it a day
How much wiggle room they have left? If they go after somebody they will need to release Milton for the money and space.
Milton is not making the team , they have till the 20th to use him if needed for trade money which I’m sure the Milton family is praying happens
Lakers have one slot and a 5.1 million BAE exception to use it on once they cut Milton
Not too many folk outside Horford worth that currently
If they could get a good vet min instead they’d have like 2.5 ~3 mil cushion to their 1st apron cap to take in a little extra money on trades thru out the year or get a buyout guy for free at the deadline while just cutting there least worthy player without having to jump thru any hoops
I was wonder if they would sign GP2 to take Milton place. They need defense which they lacked last year. He would cost only a minimum vet money and has no offers.
Why?!!! So glad I turned in my Lakers card.
Hayes looks like the same player today. As the day he was drafted ….. that can’t be all on him.
Thibs should open a training center for bigs. Like a six wk course every year lols. Every big he has coached has improved significantly. Where they help impact winning. Learn to use their size skills to play productive mins. Never seen him miss with big.
Hukporti was his last one. The last pick in the 2024 draft …. He will help Knicks this year.
He’s not a big tho
He’s a jumper and runner who can switch a little better than avg
He’ll never be the big you want him too
Look at Sims. They are the same. Its not about what I want. He plays C position. Its about doing that enough to help. If Sims can do it. I don’t see no reason why he can’t. He’s actually more athletic.
Guys, we got this Lakers are definitely winning a title with Ayton and Hayes. Buss family was not buying high and selling low.
Save some money for Beal. He’s about to get bought out. LeGM, get on the phone and convince him to come to LA!
A Luka/Beal backcourt might genuinely be the worst defensive pairing in NBA history
Beal is not the answer. Lakers needs to strengthen their bench. If they sign Beal……..
At least Hayes won’t be forced to start anymore. But then again, Ayton comes with his own set of problems.
Gonna be a looong year for the Lakers – and I don’t mean because of the postseason.
Sad at Center