Lakers 2024-25 season player grades: Jaxson Hayes

USA Today

2 days ago

For the last few seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers have been weak at the center position, even though for most of that time, they boasted Anthony Davis, one of the NBA's very best big men. But once Davis was sent to the Dallas Mavericks in order to acquire Luka Doncic, the Lakers' lack of viable centers was put under a microscope.
They have had to make do with Jaxson Hayes as perhaps the only playable true center on their roster over the last two seasons. He has done well at times, but over the last few months, it has become beyond clear that he has been miscast as a starting center.
Jaxson Hayes' season stats
In 56 regular-season games, Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes a game.
In the first round of the NBA playoffs, he averaged 1.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in 7.8 minutes a game.
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Overall analysis
Once Davis left and Doncic arrived, Hayes saw his playing time increase. Doncic has thrived in the past while playing alongside big men who are lob threats near the rim, and for a while, it looked like Hayes could do well while playing that role.
His scoring and shooting percentage ticked up in February and March, and there was some hope that the Lakers could contend for the NBA championship with him starting at the 5.
However, Hayes and the team got exposed in the first round of the playoffs versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hayes' playing time diminished greatly, and he got onto the court for a total of just 31 minutes. He didn't play at all in Game 5 when Los Angeles was eliminated from the postseason, and some have questioned that decision by head coach JJ Redick, especially since Rudy Gobert went off for 27 points and 24 rebounds in that contest.
The reality is that while Hayes can bring some energy on the court, he simply lacks the girth and strength to effectively box out or play high-level positional defense in the paint. His energy and effort also seem to wax and wane on a game-to-game basis.
The Lakers badly need a starting-level center who will rebound, defend, protect the rim and run the floor in transition. But there is now a feeling that they also need a viable backup center who can play about 15-20 minutes a game. In other words, perhaps Hayes isn't even capable of being a second-string center on a contending team.
What's next for Hayes?
Hayes will be a free agent at the end of the league year in a few weeks. According to a recent report by one insider, he's unhappy with the reduction in his playing time, and there is only an "outside chance" of Hayes sticking around.
If Los Angeles wants to keep him, he should be inexpensive. But the team will be in trouble if it has to rely on him to play more than about 15-18 minutes a game.
Overall grade: C/C-plus