NBA: Los Angeles Lakers re-sign Jaxson Hayes on one-year deal

Center Jaxson Hayes is set to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming NBA season, agreeing to a one-year contract as a free agent, according to reports.

The deal was finalised on Thursday night by Hayes’ representatives, Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of WME Basketball, who worked with Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka to flesh out a short-term deal.

The agreement comes just one day after the Lakers secured another major move by signing fellow center Deandre Ayton to a two-year contract, a position widely considered a priority for the franchise.

Hayes had a strong showing last season, earning the starting center role for the Lakers.

He posted a career-best field goal percentage of 72.2% and ranked among the top 10 defenders in limiting field goal percentage on layups and dunks, based on players who challenged 250 or more shots.

Over the course of 56 games, he averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.

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

During the Lakers’ playoff run, which ended in a 4-1 first-round defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hayes started the opening four games.

However, his playing time remained limited, never exceeding 10 minutes per game and ultimately not featuring at all in Game 5.

With the addition of Ayton, Hayes is now expected to move into a backup role for the Lakers’ frontcourt rotation as the team looks to strengthen its depth heading into the new season.

Meanwhile, question marks remain around the future of LeBron James, who is opting in to his mega-money player option and is said to be targetting a championship this season.