The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason with a major hole in the lineup at the center position.
Consider it addressed.
One day after Los Angeles signed former Portland Trail Blazer Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal, the Lakers made another big move.
On Thursday, ESPN Senior Writer Shams Charania reported that Jaxson Hayes has signed a one-year deal to re-up with the Lakers:
Free agent center Jaxson Hayes has agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Hayes' agents, Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of WME Basketball, finalized a contract with Lakers president Rob Pelinka on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/fZOeqVyo9u
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2025
Hayes developed into the Lakers' starting center last season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting a career-high 72.2 percent from the field.
The 7-foot, 220-pound big man was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, but his rights were quickly traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
During his six-year NBA career, Hayes spent four years with the Pelicans and the past two with the Lakers.
Clearly, he'll be sticking around.
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