The Los Angeles Lakers made a blockbuster trade in February, acquiring five-time All-Star Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.
With Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves leading the way, the Lakers finished the season as the third seed in the Western Conference. Many NBA fans and pundits projected Los Angeles to compete for this year’s championship.
However, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Lakers in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs in five games. Minnesota won Games 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the series.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick played Doncic, Reaves, James, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith the entire second half of Game 4. The former Duke star then played without a traditional center in Game 5, benching starting center Jaxson Hayes.
There have been a few rumors going around that Hayes doesn’t want to re-sign with the Lakers this offseason in free agency, but Hayes said those rumors aren’t true.
Hayes was the Lakers’ starting center after Anthony Davis was traded to the Mavericks in the Doncic deal. The Texas product played in 56 games this season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 72.2% from the field.
Hayes was the Lakers’ starting center after Anthony Davis was traded to the Mavericks in the Doncic deal. The Texas product played in 56 games this season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 72.2% from the field.
The 25-year-old Hayes becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He has career averages of 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 blocks with the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakers.
During his end-of-the-season press conference with local reporters, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said he will attempt to acquire a center this offseason.
We know this offseason, one of our primary goals is going to be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position,” Pelinka said. “This roster needs more size and needs a center. That’s a very clear and obvious by-product of trading potentially the best big in the league to Dallas to get a point guard. Of course, that’s going to open up a huge hole.”
