Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with the Lakers on Thursday, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Hayes will return to Los Angeles for a third straight season. The veteran center will now share the frontcourt with Deandre Ayton (calf), who signed with the team Wednesday. In 56 regular-season games last season, Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting a career-high 72.2 percent from the field.
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Shows improvement in sixth season
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Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes over 56 games during the 2024-25 regular season.
Hayes showed obvious improvement in his second year as a Laker, averaging his best scoring total since the 2021 season while setting career highs in both rebounds and assists. However, he struggled to find his footing during LA's first-round postseason series against the Timberwolves, averaging 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in four games before being a healthy scratch for Game 5.
Hayes will come off the bench Wednesday against the Timberwolves, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
After being in the starting lineup for 36 straight games, Hayes will have a bench role in Game 5, with Dorian Finney-Smith taking his place as a starter. It has been a rough series for Hayes, as he has averaged 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game across only 7.5 minutes per contest despite being in the starting lineup for the previous four games.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Sees just four minutes
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Hayes accumulated two points (1-2 FG), three rebounds and one assist in four minutes during Sunday's 116-113 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes had a brutal start, picking up a couple of quick fouls and a technical. He never saw the floor after that, with coach J.J. Redick opting to go with a smaller lineup with Dorian Finney-Smith playing the entire second half. A lineup change could be brewing for Game 5 with the season on the line for the Lakers.
Hayes produced two points (1-2 FG) and one rebound over nine minutes during Friday's 116-104 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes continues to be a non-factor, having now played fewer than 10 minutes in each of the three playoff games. He has scored a total of five points, and at this point, it's clear the Lakers will need to upgrade their center position if and when this season comes to an end.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Another lackluster performance
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Hayes chipped in two points (1-2 FG), one rebound and one block across nine minutes during Tuesday's 94-85 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes has been a complete non-factor in this series, as he has been more of a foul magnet than a player who can make an impact on the basketball floor. The veteran has played a total of 17 minutes across the first two games, racking up five fouls and three points, which has made him virtually unplayable and a player head coach JJ Redick hasn't been able to rely on in the paint.
Hayes amassed one point (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over eight minutes during Saturday's 117-95 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Despite starting, Hayes barely saw the floor, a worrying sign for the Lakers. While he has been an adequate starting option, Hayes is far from an elite center. His inability to spread the floor and limited defensive capabilities could see him used as more of an emergency option, rather than a consistent part of the rotation.
Hayes is questionable for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right hand contusion, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
A decision on Hayes' status will be made closer to tip-off. That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see him handle a sizable workload in the regular-season finale since the Lakers will rest most of their rotation regulars. Hayes has been a starter for the team since the trade that sent Anthony Davis (groin) to the Mavericks. He's been averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 boards per game since the All-Star break.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Will play vs. Portland
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Hayes (hand) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Hayes will be the only usual starter for the Lakers who will be available Sunday during the team's regular-season finale. The veteran big man is averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 72.2 percent from the field.
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Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Upgraded to available
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Hayes (hand) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes was initially listed as questionable for this contest, but the big man has been upgraded to available and should start at center. Since the All-Star break, he has averaged 8.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per game and should handle his regular workload in this matchup.
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