Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes is exercising his minimum-salary ($2.46MM) player option for the 2024/25 season, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft, Hayes spent his first four NBA seasons in New Orleans before signing with Los Angeles last summer. Although he appeared in 70 games for his new team, the fifth-year center played a limited role in the Lakers’ frontcourt, averaging a career-low 12.5 minutes per game. He contributed 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest in that modest role.
As Charania points out, if he remains on the Lakers’ roster through the offseason, Hayes will get the opportunity to reunite with J.J. Redick, L.A.’s new head coach and Hayes’ former teammate in New Orleans.
The Lakers entered the offseason with five veterans holding player options. Big man Christian Wood picked up his $3.04MM option in May, while Russell ($18.69MM) and Hayes ($2.46MM) are said to be opting in too. Cam Reddish ($2.46MM) and, of course, LeBron James ($51.42MM) still have decisions to finalize before Saturday’s deadline.
Banner 18 lol
Barely does his job and gets “minimum” pay of 2.5 million dollars. Why can’t we all be born 7 feet tall and push cops for fun.
Pretty good deal for the Lakers. They weren’t going to get a better backup for that price, or even one they could afford.
lakers are going to need to make some trades. When LeBron resigns that is 13 roster spots including their 2 draft picks. Going to be tough for them to make some trades because even D’lo knows nobody wants to give him a bigger deal.
Not sure the Lakers were expecting all these opt-ins. Looks like they’ll have the same team as last year? Maybe they can swing a trade to improve? Going to be interesting in the next week or so when most transactions take place.
makes me wonder if they try a S/T with warriors Vanderbilt and Rui for Thompson. Of course they will try the D’Lo offer or Vincent 2 players that are over paid.
I’m not a big fan of Rui. I think he’s hit his ceiling has an athletic dunker. He’s not a very good Defender and really can’t create his own shot.
He’s currently Jonathan Kuminga without JK’s upside to develop more to his game.
But I like the way you think. The Warriors need to do something we just don’t know what yet. With Chris Paul’s new Sunday deadline I’m watching this website Moment by moment.
I hate to say it but I wonder if there is talk going on behind the scene to get Thompson to the Lakers. Seems strange he doesn’t want to negotiate with the warriors. So somebody already maybe offered him something and with his dad working down there. I do not want D’lo or Vincent in a trade. Neither are worth their money.
Yeah not much in the way of improving our roster from the lakers. Hopefully someone from Dallas comes over instead. Younger better.
Vanderbilt is okay but of course we want more lol. I don’t think it’s going to happen as a sign and trade with the lakers. And Klay wants money so without the cap space it’s either a 3-tame deal or not happening with LA.
clipper getting Thompson in a sign and trade for PG is more realistic.
Considering he gets no PT. He should have been in G-league. Learning how to help this. This guy is classic big upside draft pick. That teams don’t develop. Then expect results as he gets older. You don’t coach them up. All they do is get OLDER ….
Sounds like he just wants the money and not caring about his future. Type of guy who should change teams or go overseas. I guess the $2 million means more to him than getting better. Third string center will not get much playing time unless of a injury.