It turns out that bridges may not have been burned at the end of last season.
Shams Charania of ESPN is reporting that Jaxson Hayes will be returning to Los Angeles on a one-year deal. Hayes will serve as the backup to the newly-acquired Deandre Ayton.
Free agent center Jaxson Hayes has agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Hayes' agents, Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of WME Basketball, finalized a contract with Lakers president Rob Pelinka on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/fZOeqVyo9u
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2025
Hayes had one of the best regular seasons of his career, averaging 6.8 points, shooting 72% from the field and starting in 35 games for the Lakers last year.
However, he struggled in the postseason, causing head coach JJ Redick to bench him for Game 4 and not play him at all for Game 5 against the Wolves.
Despite the sour end to the year, Hayes showed that he can be an explosive offensive player and played well alongside Luka Dončić.
Recently, he stated on social media that he was open to coming back to play for the Lakers, foreshadowing Thursday’s news.
This live story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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