Free agent center Jaxson Hayes is returning to the Lakers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides are in agreement on a one-year contract.
Hayes, 25, signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in 2023 and has appeared in 126 games for the team since then, averaging 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 15.6 minutes per night, with a 72.1% field goal percentage.
The former eighth overall pick took on an increased role during the second half of last season following **Anthony Davis**‘ abdominal injury and the subsequent trade sending him to Dallas. His last 32 outings of the regular season were starts, as he boosted his averages to 8.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.0 BPG in 21.9 MPG during that stretch.
More to come…