There have been plenty of frustrating experiences during Jaxson Hayes's time with the Los Angeles Lakers. There was enough for the franchise to consider looking elsewhere in the 2025 offseason. Instead, Rob Pelinka gave him another shot, and the results, so far, have been remarkably steady.
Hayes left a rough final impression before 2025 free agency on the Lakers. The high-flying center was played off the court in the first-round series loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Foul trouble plagued Hayes and JJ Redick quickly appeared to lose trust in his starting big man.
In spite of those results, Pelinka inked Hayes to a one-year deal. This time, the former lottery pick could return to a backup role with the arrival of Deandre Ayton. That adjustment proved to be the necessary one.
In those controlled doses off the bench, Hayes is having his best year with the Lakers. The chemistry with Luka Doncic on the offensive end remains strong, and the issues with fouling on the defensive end have quietly been reduced.
Jaxson Hayes is delivering the exact value Lakers need at backup center
The Lakers could have easily expended trade capital to acquire a more proven backup center and been justified for it. Hayes has rewarded them for opting against that route.
The Lakers center is averaging 5.5 points and 4.1 in 17.7 minutes per game off the bench. Hayes' ability to finish the giftwrapped scoring opportunities he is handed shines through again and again. The explosive center is shooting a career-high 72.7 percent from the field.
Hayes has an offensive rating of 144 per 100 possessions, according to Basketball Reference. Excluding Adou Thiero, who has barely played for the Lakers, that is the highest mark on the team.
Defensively, Hayes has averaged a career-best 4.5 person fouls per 100 possessions. That is a significant decrease from 2024-25, when the Lakers center was posting 6.1 in that category.
Hayes has also registered ,161 win shares per 48 minutes and a plus/minus net of 2.3 per 100 possessions. The short version of all that is being said with these figures would be that there has been some real value to be found with the minutes Los Angeles gets from him.
The Lakers have even asked Hayes to start twice this season. Both performances were solid and the team walked away victorious each time.
If the Lakers do choose to invest further into the frontcourt during 2025-26, it will be out of luxury, not necessity. Hayes has done an admirable job down low for Los Angeles thus far.