BREAKING NEWS: Jaxson Hayes Anticipated to Leave Lakers Amid Reports of Role Dissatisfaction
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes is reportedly expected to part ways with the team this offseason, following growing dissatisfaction with his limited role throughout the 2024–25 NBA campaign. Multiple league sources have indicated that Hayes, who signed with the Lakers in July 2023, has become increasingly frustrated with his lack of consistent minutes and unclear position within the team’s rotation.
Hayes, 24, arrived in Los Angeles with hopes of revitalizing his career after four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. Standing 6’11” with elite athleticism, Hayes was seen as a potential spark off the bench—a high-energy big man capable of protecting the rim and running the floor in transition. However, his time with the Lakers has been marked by sporadic playing time and a lack of defined responsibilities within head coach Darvin Ham’s system.
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Despite showing flashes of potential in limited action, Hayes often found himself buried in the depth chart behind veteran bigs and situational rotations that rarely favored his style of play. Sources close to the situation say Hayes was particularly frustrated during the postseason, where he saw minimal minutes even as the Lakers struggled with rebounding and rim protection.
“Jaxson came in ready to contribute, but he never felt like he had a clear role,” a source familiar with Hayes’ thinking told reporters. “He wants to be somewhere he can grow, not sit on the bench.”
With a player option for the 2025–26 season, Hayes is widely expected to decline it and test the free agency market this summer. His combination of youth, size, and athleticism will likely attract interest from several teams looking to bolster their frontcourt depth—particularly those willing to invest in developing his raw potential.
The Lakers, meanwhile, may be poised for broader changes following another disappointing playoff exit. With an aging roster and ongoing questions about their long-term identity, Hayes’ likely departure underscores the challenge of integrating young, developing players into a win-now environment.
For Hayes, the offseason presents a critical opportunity to reset his career trajectory with a team better suited to his skills and development needs. While his time in Los Angeles didn’t unfold as hoped, his departure could mark the beginning of a more stable and impactful chapter elsewhere in the league.
