Jaxson Hayes says he hopes to remain with Lakers next season
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Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes said he wants to re-sign with the franchise when he reaches free agency this summer. The 26-year-old made the comments shortly after the Lakers were eliminated in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
“Yeah, of course. I love this group of guys, I love this staff, I love this organization as a whole,” Hayes told reporters following the team’s Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on May 11. “I grew up watching Kobe and I just love to be a Laker… I’d love to stay here, obviously. I hope so.”
Best season in purple and gold
Hayes averaged career-best numbers in his first full year with Los Angeles and frequently closed games ahead of starting center Deandre Ayton. His athleticism and above-the-rim finishes were on display throughout the postseason, highlighted by a second-half dunk in Game 4 against Oklahoma City.
Free-agency approach
The former lottery pick said he plans to handle the upcoming offseason the same way he did the previous two summers, focusing on skill development while awaiting offers. “Just gonna do it the same way, making sure I get better every day and work on parts of my game,” he said.
Lakers’ roster priorities
Los Angeles is expected to pursue upgrades at the starting center position and could deploy salary-cap space elsewhere before turning to the backup spot. In the playoffs, head coach JJ Redick at times struggled to find a consistent interior defender, and the club is seeking a rim-protecting anchor—an area neither Ayton nor Hayes has consistently filled.
Slovenian passport secured
Hayes recently obtained a Slovenian passport in hopes of joining teammate Luka Dončić in FIBA competition this summer. Dončić later announced he would skip national-team duty because of an ongoing custody dispute involving his two daughters.
Source: Lakers Nation
