TITLE: Jaxson Hayes agrees to two-year, $12 million contract with Utah Jazz
SLUG: jaxson-hayes-signs-two-year-deal-with-jazz
CONTENT:
The Utah Jazz have reached a two-year agreement with free-agent center Jaxson Hayes worth $12 million, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The second season of the deal is a team option.
Hayes, 26, spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, earning roughly $3.45 million. In 66 appearances, including nine starts, the 6-foot-11 big man averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists while converting 75.6% of his field-goal attempts across 18.3 minutes per game.
Los Angeles had shown interest in retaining the athletic rim-runner, but offseason roster moves left little room in the frontcourt. The Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler and plan to shift Deandre Ayton into a reserve role, limiting opportunities for Hayes to return.
Despite expressing a desire to stay in Los Angeles after the 2025-26 campaign, Hayes now becomes the latest Laker to depart in free agency. His role in Utah is expected to mirror the minutes and responsibilities he held with the Lakers, depending on additional roster changes.
The former first-round pick has also secured a Slovenian passport, clearing the way to join Luka Doncic on Slovenia’s national team. Neither player is scheduled to participate in this summer’s FIBA World Cup qualifiers, but both are expected to suit up for future international events, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Source: Lakers Nation
