The Los Angeles Lakers need to add depth at center.
Head coach JJ Redick doesn’t seem to trust Jaxson Hayes, as made evident by his decision not to use him in the playoffs.
That’s why it’s not much of a surprise to hear that Hayes might not be returning next season.
According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, via NBA Central, Hayes isn’t happy with his diminished role and the money he potentially lost with his benching.
“In terms of returning talent, sources say there is an outside chance of Jaxson Hayes returning, but he wasn’t thrilled about his role disappearing in the postseason and the money he lost as his minutes dwindled. From the Lakers perspective, they’re weighing Redick losing faith in him, how he might handle them bringing in his replacement or the inevitable demotion he’d be in line for this summer,” Irwin said.
Jaxson Hayes reportedly wasn’t thrilled with his role on the Lakers toward the end of the season and isn’t expected to stay in L.A, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
“In terms of returning talent, sources say there is an outside chance of Jaxson Hayes returning, but he wasn’t thrilled about… pic.twitter.com/JpxMMg9diN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 28, 2025
Redick chose not to make many substitutions in the second half of playoff games.
He drew plenty of criticism for that approach, mostly because it did little to help his team.
The coach chose to play Maxi Kleber, who hadn’t even practiced with the team and had been out for months with an injury, in a win-or-go-home game instead of Hayes.
The Lakers struggled to contain Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, who had virtually no opposition on either side of the court, and Redick still refused to cave in and give Hayes some playing time.
It might be almost impossible to convince Hayes to stay, assuming the Lakers even want him to return.
Hayes is an athletic player who can provide energy off the bench as a lob threat and rim protector, and he should land somewhere in the league.
As for the Lakers, they don’t have many options to solve their issues at center.
