The Los Angeles Lakers felt like a lock to retain Jaxson Hayes in free agency after he became a Slovenian citizen to play with Luka Doncic in FIBA play, but the Jazz snuck in to steal him with a two-year, $12 million deal. This was on the same day that the Lakers gave Utah two unprotected first-round draft picks and two swaps to land Walker Kessler. The Jazz weren't going to take losing their young big man lightly, so they delivered one final blow to Doncic and the Lakers.
Hayes is a minimum player. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 18.3 minutes per game last season. Lakers fans know what he offers. The seven-footer caught lobs from Luka, but his defense left a lot to be desired. Hayes had a 1.0 value over replacement player (VORP) and a 0.199 win shares per 48 minutes. He made an impact in a limited role, which gave the Jazz confidence to make this move.
This was one final jab to the Lakers. They wanted to keep Kessler, but couldn't pay him $130 million after extended Lauri Markkanen and trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. Ultimately, Utah let Kessler go in a sign-and-trade. They forced LA to overpay and stole Jaxson Hayes on the way out the door.
Jazz get the last laugh by stealing Jaxson Hayes away from the Lakers
Hayes got a two-year contract, but the second season is a team option. Utah is likely only on the hook for $6 million, but it will break Luka away from his newest Slovenian teammate. Hayes couldn’t turn down the extra money. The Lakers went on a spending spree after landing Kessler, so they had no space left to match.
Danny Ainge is notoriously difficult to trade with. He loves to extract every bit of value in each deal. He convinced Rob Pelinka to give up two unprotected first-round draft picks and two swaps because Ainge knew Doncic was demanding a center. To deliver the final punch was just what Ainge does. He wants to win every trade and make the opposition feel pain.
The Lakers are left scrambling a bit behind Walker Kessler at the five. Deandre Ayton is likely to be traded at some point. Los Angeles was banking on Hayes being their backup big man next season, but he is now in Utah. There will be no shortage of centers looking to play with Luka. Still, the Lakers have to find a minimum option that fits.
The Utah Jazz signed Jaxson Hayes away from the Los Angeles Lakers after the Walker Kessler saga. Credit to Rob Pelinka for getting the restricted free agent. That is never easy, and it took a massive haul. The Jazz weren’t walking away with just draft picks, so they signed Hayes just months after the big man decided to join Luka Doncic on the Slovenian National Team. Utah had to make sure they got the final laugh. Mission accomplished.
Add us as a preferred source on Google