Jaxson Hayes is coming back to the Lakers on a one-year deal, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday. The contract includes a no-trade clause, giving Hayes control over his immediate future with the team.
His agents, Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of WME Basketball, worked out the details with Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations and general manager.
Hayes has been in the NBA for six seasons now. He started as the eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft, selected by Atlanta before being shipped to New Orleans.
After four years with the Pelicans, he joined the Lakers last year on a two-year, $4.6 million deal. He made $2.46 million in his first season wearing purple and gold.
With Hayes back in the fold, the Lakers now have 12 players on guaranteed contracts and two more on non-guaranteed deals. They’re sitting $3.3 million below the first apron hard cap.
This financial flexibility means they can still sign their second-round pick Adou Thiero without crossing that threshold.
From Backup to Starter
The 25-year-old Hayes stepped into a bigger role last season after the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to Dallas for Luka Doncic at the deadline.
He appeared in 56 games, starting 35 of them. His numbers showed solid improvement across the board – 6.8 points per game, career-highs of 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists, while playing 19.5 minutes a night.
Perhaps most impressive was his efficiency. Hayes shot a career-best 72.2% from the field.
The 7-footer also proved to be a strong defensive presence. He ranked in the top 10 for field goal percentage allowed when contesting layups and dunks (among players who contested at least 250 shots).
Hayes showed flashes of offensive potential too, dropping 19 points three different times last season – against his former team the Pelicans on March 4, the Suns on March 16, and the Bulls on March 27.
His playoff experience was more limited. Though he started the first four games against Minnesota in their first-round series, he never played more than 10 minutes in any game and didn’t see the floor at all in the decisive Game 5 loss.
New Role Behind Ayton
Hayes’ return comes just a day after the Lakers made a bigger splash at center, signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million contract that includes a player option for the second year.
The Lakers will pay Ayton $8.1 million next season, using what’s left of their midlevel exception after signing Jake LaRavia.
Ayton’s deal was negotiated by his representatives Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Sports – the same Bill Duffy who represents Hayes.
Between what Portland owes him from his buyout and his new Lakers contract, Ayton will collect about $34 million next season.
With Ayton now in the picture, Hayes will likely return to a backup role, providing energy and rim protection off the bench for a Lakers team looking to bounce back after last season’s first-round playoff exit.
