Jaxson Hayes and the Lakers: A Big Man Stuck in a Tough Spot
Let’s rewind a bit. When the Los Angeles Lakers shook up their roster midseason and sent Anthony Davis packing in a bold trade for Luka Doncic, it left a noticeable hole in their frontcourt. Suddenly, all eyes were on Jaxson Hayes. He was now the de facto big man expected to hold down the fort — or at least survive the storm until reinforcements could arrive.
Now, let’s be honest: that’s a tall order for a guy like Hayes, who has always hovered between promising athleticism and frustrating inconsistency.
The Luka Effect and Hayes’ Flashy Start
To his credit, Hayes didn’t completely flop when paired with Luka. Early on, he showed flashes of becoming a decent lob threat — exactly what Doncic loves. Luka’s court vision made it easy for Hayes to thrive on rim runs and alley-oops, and there were moments where you thought, “Okay, maybe this will work.”
But basketball isn’t all about flash plays. It’s also about the gritty stuff — rebounding, positioning, defensive rotations, and rim protection. And that’s where the cracks in the wall began to show.
Big Minutes, Big Expectations... and Then?
The Lakers leaned on Hayes more than they probably intended to. With Davis gone and no solid backup plan in place, Hayes was logging around 19.5 minutes a night. That gave him enough time to average 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and nearly a block per game.
Respectable numbers? Maybe. But if you actually watched the games, it was clear Hayes wasn’t quite filling the shoes he was given. He struggled with defensive reads and often looked lost when teams pushed the tempo or ran plays through mobile bigs. The effort was there — no one’s questioning that — but it felt like he was always a step behind.
The Playoff Problem
When the postseason rolled around, the Lakers were hoping for a spark — something, anything, that could give them an edge. Unfortunately, Hayes wasn't it. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, his role shrunk fast. So fast, in fact, that he didn’t even see the floor in Game 5 — the game that sealed L.A.’s elimination.
That kind of playoff disappearance can seriously damage a player’s stock, especially one already fighting for minutes. It raised a giant question mark about his future with the franchise, especially under the new leadership of head coach JJ Redick.
Is There Still Hope in Purple and Gold?
Despite reports that Hayes is feeling frustrated about his shrinking role, he hasn’t closed the door on returning to L.A. entirely. He even posted something on social media recently that hinted at unfinished business. That little glimmer of optimism — or maybe it’s just professionalism — could count for something in the long run.
Still, it’s clear that Hayes isn’t a lock to return. One source flat-out said he only has an “outside chance” of sticking around as a free agent this summer. That’s not encouraging.
And from Redick’s perspective, if he doesn’t see Hayes as a piece that fits into his defensive schemes, the writing might already be on the wall. Redick is a system guy — he likes structure and trust. If Hayes can't deliver on the dirty work defensively, Redick might move on without blinking.
The Bigger Picture: Depth at the Center Position
It’s not all doom and gloom for Hayes, though. The Lakers have to think long-term, and in today’s NBA, having a decent third-string big is actually pretty valuable. Let’s face it — injuries, foul trouble, and load management are real. If the Lakers are looking for a low-cost insurance option for the center position, Hayes might be worth keeping around in a limited role.
He’s only 25 years old, after all. That’s young enough to grow, adjust, and maybe even surprise some folks under the right development plan. If Hayes is willing to embrace a bench role — and really commit to tightening up his fundamentals — he might still find a place in L.A.’s future.
What’s Next for Hayes?
Free agency this summer is going to be pivotal for him. If he walks, he might have to accept a prove-it deal elsewhere, likely for the veteran minimum. But a fresh start could also unlock something we haven’t seen consistently from him yet. Maybe a smaller-market team with fewer expectations gives him the freedom to expand his game. Or maybe he becomes one of those guys who bounces around the league until he lands in the right fit.
Either way, Hayes needs to make a statement — whether through training, hustle, or even off-the-bench energy. He can’t rely on potential anymore. The league is full of athletic big men. What separates the survivors from the free agents is discipline and basketball IQ.
The Lakers’ Tough Roster Questions
Looking ahead, the Lakers will have some tough choices to make beyond just Hayes. Their roster needs a facelift in multiple areas, and depth at center is just one piece of the puzzle. They need glue guys, grinders, shooters, and defenders. If they can find a better option for the third center role, Hayes might be expendable.
But if nothing better shows up, and Hayes shows signs of improvement during summer workouts or training camp scrimmages, he could sneak back into the mix. Stranger things have happened in L.A.
Final Take
Jaxson Hayes is at a crossroads. He’s shown enough to still be in the league, but not enough to demand a rotation spot. His time in Los Angeles may be nearing its end — or, if things break right, just getting started.
For now, it’s all up to him. How bad does he want it?
🔥 Key Takeaways:
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Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes this season.
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Lost minutes drastically in the first round of the playoffs, including a DNP in Game 5.
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His future with the Lakers is uncertain, but he hasn’t ruled out returning.
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JJ Redick’s system-focused approach might not be the right fit for Hayes unless he evolves quickly.
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Still only 25 years old, he might thrive elsewhere or settle into a reliable third-string role.
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