Jaxson Hayes has recently showcased his skills as the Los Angeles Lakers look to solidify their roster amid trade speculations involving star player Luka Doncic. On February 10, 2025, Hayes put on quite the performance against the Utah Jazz, scoring 12 points, leading the game with blocks, and recording three steals. His contributions were instrumental for the Lakers, who secured a solid 132-113 victory, with Hayes exceeding his usual playing time by stepping onto the court for 23 minutes. This game marked one of the highlights of Hayes' career as he demonstrated his defensive prowess and ability to impact the game significantly.
Despite the successful outing, the Lakers find themselves at a crossroads concerning their roster construction. The organization has missed out on acquiring Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, which raises questions about their strategy moving forward. According to sources, the Lakers attempted to secure Williams; unfortunately, the deal was rescinded after the player failed his physical just as the trade deadline passed. The franchise is now leaning heavily on Doncic, whom they traded for, as they look to establish him as the centerpiece for future success alongside LeBron James, who may not be around much longer.
Knowing they cannot sign Doncic to the staggering supermax deal due to the recent trade, the Lakers are eyeing his eligibility for four-year, $229 million extensions starting summer 2026. Until then, Hayes finds himself under the spotlight with the potential to be one of the key players filling the center position alongside Doncic. While Hayes has shown flashes of his talent, he still struggles with consistency and injury, two factors hindering his growth primarily during his six seasons within the league.
Recently, Hayes noted his longstanding desire to team up with Doncic, mentioning, “When he was in Dallas and I was in New Orleans my first few years, they kept trying to trade for me.” This reflects the intrigue and excitement surrounding their potential collaboration now as teammates. The two players have communicated about their ambitions, with Hayes reportedly expressing, “If you ever need a big, I would love to play with you.” Their camaraderie appears to be strengthening, with Hayes even being the first of Doncic's new teammates to go to dinner with him upon his arrival in Los Angeles.
The Lakers' roster remains somewhat fluid, with Hayes grasping the opportunity created after star player Anthony Davis sustained injuries leading to trades. Currently, Hayes has risen to become the starting center, averaging around eight points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over his last five starts. While his numbers may not scream superstar, they are indicative of the growth the organization hopes will continue. Still, fans and analysts speculate on how long the Lakers could view Hayes as their long-term solution.
Looking to the future, the Lakers are considering various options at the center position. While the appetite for established centers remains strong, they may also explore free agency. With time on their side, the team has recognized Hayes as one of the few gems currently on their roster who can provide value. If Hayes can become more reliable on the court, he could even be viewed as the perfect complement to Doncic’s style of play, which clearly prioritizes dynamic offensive actions.
Nonetheless, with trade opportunities looming, such as Nic Claxton or Bam Adebayo being potential targets, Hayes must consistently prove his worth. Many NBA analysts speculate the Lakers will need to make solid moves to build around Doncic and create lasting success once LeBron James retires, which could be sooner rather than later.
Fans remain hopeful as Hayes continues to impress, but sentiments lean toward the Lakers needing to act quickly to secure depth for their offensive lineup. There are whispers of promising prospects like Christian Koloko, who, at seven-foot-one, has the physical attributes to potentially become more of an asset as the Lakers plan for the future. Other factors are also at play, like younger players gaining experience and depth from draft picks, but realistically, adding another center to eventually collaborate with Doncic will likely be the immediate priority.
Contrarily, fantasy basketball managers are taking note of Hayes’ recent rising stocks as his role evolves significantly due to the trade uncertainty surrounding bigger names and injuries. Currently, Hayes is among the most added waiver players and sits at around 37.59% rostered, reflecting the optimistic outlook on his contributions during this transitional phase for the Lakers.
For now, as the Lakers navigate opportunities and challenges, Jaxson Hayes’ performance against the Jazz offers promising glimpses of what may lie on the horizon for the young center and the Lakers organization as they work both short-term trades and long-term aspirations around Luka Doncic, ensuring the franchise remains competitive.