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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers could be on the verge of losing one of their rotation players this offseason.
According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, center Jaxson Hayes is unhappy with how his role diminished during the playoffs. Hayes is reportedly also frustrated over the potential earnings he may have lost as a result of his reduced minutes late in the season.
Hayes, 25, joined the Lakers in 2023 after being selected No. 8 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. He brought size and athleticism to L.A.’s frontcourt during the regular season, averaging 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game.
However, Hayes saw his playoff role evaporate in the Lakers’ first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His defensive limitations—particularly his lack of lateral quickness and discipline—made him a liability, and head coach JJ Redick chose to go small, relying on Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jarred Vanderbilt instead.
Hayes logged just 31 minutes across the entire series, averaging only 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game as the Lakers fell in five games.
Now headed into unrestricted free agency, Hayes faces an uncertain future. Irwin notes there’s still an “outside chance” he returns to the Lakers, but both sides may be ready to move on.
Hayes also carries off-court concerns stemming from a 2021 domestic violence incident that involved an altercation with police. While he ultimately avoided jail time and NBA discipline through a plea deal, the situation adds another wrinkle to his upcoming free agency.