The Utah Jazz have added another piece to their frontcourt, signing former Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes in free agency after the Lakers reshaped their interior rotation.
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Hayes agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with Utah that includes a team option for the second season. The 25-year-old spent the past three seasons with the Lakers after earning $3.4 million during the 2025-26 campaign.
Key highlights
- Jaxson Hayes signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Utah Jazz, including a team option in Year 2.
- The Lakers' revamped frontcourt left Hayes without a clear role after adding Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili, while Deandre Ayton returned.
- Hayes averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds across 66 games, shooting a career-best 75.6% from the field.
- Utah adds valuable frontcourt depth as the franchise continues its rebuild following a 22-60 season.
Lakers' offseason moves opened the door
Hayes' departure comes after Los Angeles made major changes to its frontcourt on Wednesday. With Deandre Ayton also exercising his player option to remain in Los Angeles, Hayes no longer had a clear place in the Lakers' center rotation.
The Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler from the Jazz before signing him to a four-year, $130 million contract. They also strengthened their depth by signing Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal that includes a player option in the final season.
Hayes provided reliable production in Los Angeles
Hayes appeared in 66 games during the 2025-26 season, making nine starts while averaging 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He also posted a career-best 75.6% shooting from the field, thriving as an efficient pick-and-roll finisher.
Throughout the season, Hayes served as the primary backup to Ayton, who played a career-high 72 games in his first campaign with the Lakers. Together, they gave Los Angeles a dependable center rotation that complemented the team's star trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers finished the regular season with a 53-29 record to claim their second consecutive Pacific Division title. They defeated the Houston Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
Jazz continue adding pieces for the future
The Jazz secured the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and selected Kansas sharpshooter Darryn Peterson. Utah enters the new season looking to build on a difficult 2025-26 campaign after finishing 22-60, tying for the Western Conference's worst record.
By bringing in Hayes, Utah adds another athletic option to its frontcourt as the franchise continues its rebuilding process with hopes of competing for a playoff spot next season.
