The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed center Jaxson Hayes to a one-year deal. Between today and Thursday when they reached finality on that agreement with president of basketball operations and GM Rob Pelinka. The Lakers have been rumored to have signed free-agent center Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal. This thrilling development took place just one day before Hayes signed his letter of appointment.
Hayes won the Lakers’ undisputed starting center job last year and proved through this extension that he was worth the gamble. His ability to score four different ways at a high efficiency led him to shoot his career-high percentage from the field at 72.2% on the season. On the season, Hayes averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 56 games played. His contributions were key to the Super Bowl team winning it all.
Defensively, Hayes proved to be an asset. ESPN Research found through Second Spectrum that he finished in the top 10 in field goal percentage allowed as means of a contesting defender on layups and dunks. This ranking was true of players who faced 250 or more attempts. This stat illustrates his ability to be a thorn in opponents’ scoring chances.
Hayes may have self-actualized this season, but he ran into some issues in the playoffs. He skated in the first four games of the Lakers’ first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sadly, the team fell to defeat in the series 4-1. He didn’t play more than 10 minutes in any game during the playoff series. He missed Game 5 as well.
Hayes’ agents, Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of WME Basketball, were integral in negotiating the new contract. The Lakers are intent on upgrading their roster heading into the Lakers’ championship defense season. By keeping Hayes, they’ll have depth at the center position, and would be able to more smoothly bring in new talent like Ayton.
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