Jaxson Hayes' future with the LA Lakers is uncertain as financial constraints may prevent the team from re-signing him in free agency.
Jaxson Hayes has stepped into a starting role for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, largely due to limited competition at his position. However, his future with the LA team remains uncertain.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers' financial constraints could make it difficult to retain Hayes in the offseason.
"Jaxson is an unrestricted free agent, and I believe the Lakers have his bird rights, but I still think there's limitation to how much they could pay him," Buha mentioned on his recent podcast. "They could use that taxpayer money on him, but I could see him potentially being a casualty. Just because of circumstances, like we saw with Malik Monk, where the Lakers kind of got priced out based on their financial limitations.
"I think there will be suitors who will look at the pedigree of being a former lottery pick, look at the age, look at the skill set, look at the improvement, and try to poach him from the Lakers."
Hayes, 24, has averaged 6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds over 42 games this season.
Though, if the Lakers manage to secure a deep playoff run, that might be a game-changer for Hayes and his future in Los Angeles.
"If the Lakers win the championship or even go to the conference finals, I think they'll try to keep him either way," Buha added. "If you win the title with him as your starting center, you just can't let that guy go unless you get a no-brainer upgrade.
"But even then, I think you try to keep him as a backup center."
The Lakers are expected to address the center position this summer, with a few realistic targets on their radar.
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