Lakers’ explosive lob threat center makes stunning contract decision, per report | Sporting News

The Los Angeles Lakers' inability to win more than a single contest during the 2025 NBA Playoffs could be attributed solely to their clear lack of center depth.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James did everything in their power to carry the Lakers towards the conclusion of the 2024-25 regular season and throughout their first-round series postseason series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the team was unable to overcome Minnesota's star frontcourt duo of Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, losing the series in five quick games.

As one of the Lakers' only remaining true centers on the roster in the wake of Anthony Davis' departure for the Dallas Mavericks prior to the Feb.

6 trade deadline, ex-New Orleans Pelicans big Jaxson Hayes stepped up and was serviceable as the team's starting center to finish out the campaign.

The 25-year-old lob threat's efforts were rewarded, as he re-signed with the Lakers this summer as an unrestricted free agent on a one-year deal, as reported Thursday by ESPN's Shams Charania.

Interestingly, Hayes' decision to run it back with the storied franchise included a peculiar twist .

"Jaxson Hayes waived his implicit no-trade clause to re-sign with the Lakers, sources tell The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike shared via Twitter/X on Monday afternoon.

After contributing 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks while boasting a career-best 72.2% field goal percentage in 56 appearances in the regular season, Hayes was certainly deserving of another opportunity to prove that he can be a meaningful piece of a competitive Lakers squad in 2025-26.

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp The athletic 7-foot leaper is the prototypical frontcourt option for a team led by Doncic and James, as his lob-finishing and shot-blocking abilities pair perfectly with the dominant play-making duo.

As a future reserve option behind the Lakers' newly-signed center and former No.

1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Deandre Ayton, less pressure will be thrust upon Hayes' shoulders heading into next season.

More NBA: Luka Doncic could shockingly betray Lakers for Clippers to improve title chances.

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