Jazz Add Jaxson Hayes; Raptors Retain Alijah Martin; James Wiseman Weighs Europe
nba-free-agency-moves-jazz-hayes-raptors-martin-wiseman-overseas
Salt Lake City — The Utah Jazz have reached a two-year, $12 million agreement with free-agent center Jaxson Hayes, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported. The contract carries a team option for the second season.
Hayes, 24, arrives shortly after Utah agreed to trade Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade that yielded multiple first-round picks and swaps. Selected eighth overall in 2019, the 6-foot-11 big man averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 75.6 percent from the field in 66 games for the Lakers last year.
The Jazz continue to overhaul their frontcourt, having also reached deals with Jusuf Nurkić and re-signed Kyle Filipowski.
Raptors Keep Martin on Standard Deal
The Toronto Raptors have secured guard Alijah Martin on a two-year, $4.8 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy added that the second season is partially guaranteed.
Martin, the 39th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, spent his rookie year on a two-way contract. He appeared in 23 NBA games but excelled with the Raptors’ G League affiliate, averaging 18.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals while hitting nearly 40 percent from three-point range. The 22-year-old now moves to Toronto’s 15-man roster for his second season.
Wiseman Eyes Europe; Warren Drawing Interest
Former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman is exploring opportunities overseas after six NBA seasons, his agent Misko Ražnatović said. The 7-footer spent last season in a limited role and is now considering a move to Europe.
Veteran forward T.J. Warren, 32, could join him across the Atlantic. BasketNews reported several EuroLeague clubs have expressed interest in the 10-year NBA veteran, who has seen sparse playing time over the past two seasons.
Source: Hoops Wire
