Jaxson Hayes may not have officially signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Brian Windhorst basically hinted that his future in Los Angeles is already taking shape.
Why joining Doncic on team Slovenia was strategic
When Hayes chose to join Luka Doncic on the Slovenian national team, Windhorst suggested it was more than just an international opportunity, it was a way of positioning himself for the future of the organization.
On NBA on ESPN, Windhorst said, “Jaxson Hayes completed the paperwork to become a Slovenian. He can join the Slovenian national team for Luka, which I’d like to say is one of the smartest things Jaxson Hayes has ever done because I think he’s just secretly signed a contract extension.”
The quote was not meant literally, but the message was clear. Aligning yourself with the franchise player matters. It is obvious that the Lakers are Doncic’s team now. That is the foundation on which everything else is built.
When you are constructing a roster around a superstar, chemistry and trust carry as much weight as talent. If Hayes is strengthening his connection with Doncic both during the NBA season and internationally, that is not accidental.
Hayes is 25 and currently on a one-year, $3.4 million deal. On paper, that does not guarantee anything in the long term. But his recent play is giving the Lakers something to think about. Over his last three games, he has been averaging 13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and a steal in just under 22 minutes. He has been active, decisive, and efficient.
Even in a reserve role this season, Hayes has shot 77.2 percent from the field while averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 boards. That kind of efficiency is not random. It comes from understanding your role and playing within it. Lately, he has done a fantastic job of running the floor, setting hard screens, and finishing strong around the rim.
The Lakers’ frontcourt has not exactly been settled. Deandre Ayton has had impressive stretches, but inconsistency has followed. Behind him, Hayes is the only true athletic center who consistently brings vertical spacing. That matters next to a playmaker like Doncic.
Doncic has a track record of maximizing rim-running bigs. He creates easy looks for centers who dive hard and stay ready. Hayes has the tools to thrive in that role, and if their chemistry builds through international play, it only strengthens his case.
In Los Angeles, keeping your superstar comfortable is never accidental. If Hayes proves he fits alongside Doncic long-term, the Slovenian paperwork might not be the only paperwork heading his way.