Lakers and Jaxson Hayes, the center who was selected as the eighth pick in the 2019 draft, have reached an agreement on a two-year contract. Hayes, who previously played for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaged 7.5 points and 4 rebounds per game last season. According to a source, the second year of the deal includes a player option, allowing Hayes to potentially become a free agent again after the upcoming season.
Standing at 6 feet 11 inches, Hayes has demonstrated his skills on the court throughout his career, accumulating an average of 7.5 points and 4 rebounds in 241 games with the Pelicans. In the previous season, he primarily served as a reserve, contributing 5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13 minutes per game. With the Lakers, Hayes is expected to play as a backup big man.
In addition to the agreement with Hayes, the Lakers have been active in free agency, securing several other deals. They signed guard Gabe Vincent to a three-year contract, forward Taurean Prince to a one-year deal, and wing Cam Reddish to a two-year contract. They also reached an agreement with their restricted free agent, forward Rui Hachimura, on a three-year, $51 million deal.
However, the Lakers also bid farewell to two free agents from their previous roster. Guard Dennis Schröder agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, while forward Troy Brown joined the Minnesota Timberwolves on a one-year contract.
It’s important to note that the new contracts for these free agents cannot be officially signed until Wednesday at 9:01 p.m. PT, after the free-agency moratorium period concludes.