Jaxson Hayes arrived in Los Angeles with quiet expectations but a sense of opportunity. After spending four years with the New Orleans Pelicans, where his development often took a backseat to other priorities, the athletic big man signed with the Lakers hoping a change of scenery and the bright lights of a championship-contending franchise would spark the next phase of his career. The Lakers, in need of frontcourt depth behind Anthony Davis, took a flier on the 6-foot-11 center, giving him a chance to prove that he could provide energy, rim protection, and vertical spacing in a system that demanded effort and adaptability. At just 23 years old when he joined the team, there was still a belief around the league that Hayes’ best basketball was ahead of him. However, as the 2024–25 season progressed and the Lakers’ rotation solidified, that optimism began to fade. Now, following a recent update regarding Hayes’ contract status and his role within the organization, it appears increasingly unlikely that he will remain with the Lakers moving forward, casting a shadow over what was once viewed as a promising opportunity for both sides.

The disappointing update came when league insiders reported that the Lakers are not expected to pick up Hayes’ player option for the upcoming season. This news didn’t come as a complete shock to those closely following the team, but it confirmed growing speculation that Hayes had not done enough to secure a longer-term place in the Lakers’ plans. His usage over the course of the season had diminished, and his on-court impact fluctuated, with flashes of his athleticism and shot-blocking ability being overshadowed by inconsistency and lapses in defensive awareness. Hayes played in only a limited number of meaningful games, often relegated to mop-up duty or filling in when injuries depleted the roster. While the Lakers had hopes he could develop into a reliable backup center, the reality was that his contributions were sporadic, and his minutes were often handed to more experienced or versatile players.

What makes the situation even more frustrating from Hayes’ perspective is that the Lakers’ front office has shown a willingness to experiment with youth and untapped potential in other areas of the roster. Yet, despite possessing physical tools that most players can only dream of—elite leaping ability, a long wingspan, and the ability to run the floor like a guard—Hayes failed to carve out a defined niche. His offensive game remained limited, often reduced to lobs and put-backs, and his defensive IQ hadn’t progressed in a way that made him a trustworthy option in high-leverage moments. Head coach Darvin Ham, known for emphasizing defense and effort, struggled to find consistent roles for players who couldn’t deliver in those areas night after night, and Hayes simply did not do enough to earn that trust. While he occasionally impressed in stretches against second units, those moments were too fleeting to build confidence in his development curve.

Compounding the disappointment for Hayes is the fact that this past season was supposed to be a springboard—a year to reestablish his value in a larger market under the guidance of veteran stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Playing alongside Davis, in particular, was viewed as a chance to learn from one of the league’s premier big men, both defensively and in terms of basketball IQ. But the expected mentorship never translated into noticeable growth on the court. Hayes remained largely the same player he had been in New Orleans: athletic and promising, but raw and mistake-prone. The Lakers, dealing with their own urgency to compete and maximize what remains of LeBron’s championship window, were not in a position to be overly patient.

Financially, the decision also makes practical sense for Los Angeles. Hayes’ player option was set at just over $2.4 million, not a back-breaking number by any means, but every dollar matters for a team trying to navigate the complex layers of the NBA’s luxury tax system and maintain flexibility for potential trades or free-agent additions. The Lakers have aspirations of making meaningful upgrades in their frontcourt, especially as they look to add more shooting and versatility to their roster. In a landscape where hybrid bigs who can space the floor, guard multiple positions, and pass effectively are in high demand, Hayes’ more traditional rim-running style didn’t align with where the game—and the Lakers’ roster construction—appears to be headed. Letting him walk, or allowing him to test free agency without much resistance, clears a small but useful amount of cap space that could be allocated elsewhere.

From Hayes’ standpoint, this development forces yet another career crossroads. Despite his young age, he’s already facing the challenge of trying to find a team willing to invest minutes and resources into his development. His first stop in New Orleans gave him four seasons to show what he could become, but the results were uneven at best. With the Lakers, he was given a fresh start but was unable to build enough momentum. Now, he will likely enter the free-agent market once again, potentially as a minimum-contract candidate or as a training camp invitee who must earn his spot through preseason performance. For a player who was once a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, this isn’t the career trajectory anyone expected. There’s still time, and there’s certainly still talent, but the clock is ticking, and the league is unforgiving.

The Lakers, meanwhile, are moving forward with their roster overhaul, and Hayes’ situation is just one piece of a larger puzzle. With the potential departure of other role players and the ongoing speculation about the futures of stars like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, Los Angeles is clearly entering a period of retooling. Whether that means going all-in with LeBron and Davis for one last title push or beginning to shift toward younger foundational pieces remains to be seen. What’s clear is that role players who don’t offer consistent contributions or elite upside are going to be the first ones out the door. Hayes, unfortunately, fits that profile right now.

It’s worth reflecting on what Hayes could still offer to a team willing to give him another chance. His athleticism is rare, even by NBA standards. He’s a capable shot blocker, a lob threat in the pick-and-roll, and a player who can energize a second unit with hustle plays. In the right system—perhaps one that emphasizes pace or has strong veteran leadership—he might still unlock some of the potential that made him a top-10 draft pick. But any future opportunity will likely come with fewer guarantees and greater expectations to earn every minute. He’ll need to show improved awareness, better defensive positioning, and a stronger understanding of team concepts. No longer can he rely solely on athletic gifts. The NBA is full of players who were once viewed as untapped prospects; only a few of them manage to rewrite their narratives.

For the Lakers, letting go of Hayes is more of a symbolic move than a seismic one, but it does speak volumes about how tight the margins are for fringe rotation players on contending teams. Los Angeles doesn’t have the luxury of carrying long-term projects on the active roster when each game matters, and development windows are tight. In the championship race, every possession counts, and coaches have little patience for players who can’t deliver consistently. Hayes may very well find another team and eventually figure things out, but the Lakers aren’t in the business of waiting for that day to arrive.

As the offseason unfolds, Hayes’ name will join a list of young players looking for redemption and relevance. There are always teams in need of big men, especially ones who can run the floor and protect the rim, but interest will be measured and cautious. Hayes’ next contract, if it comes, will likely be short-term and incentive-laden, offering little security but one more shot at proving he belongs in the league. For someone still in his mid-20s, it’s not too late—but the path forward is steeper now.

The disappointing update regarding his future with the Lakers serves as a reminder of how quickly things can shift in the NBA. One year you’re viewed as a potential steal, a bounce-back candidate ready to thrive in a new environment; the next, you’re being quietly moved aside in favor of more reliable or better-fitting options. Hayes’ time with the Lakers may ultimately be remembered as a missed opportunity, one that never quite materialized into anything substantial. Whether that’s due to misfit, misfortune, or misjudgment will be debated, but the result remains the same: he’s on the outside looking in, once again searching for his place in the league.

Now, as free agency approaches and teams prepare for the draft and summer league, Hayes must prepare for another summer of uncertainty. The talent is there, the physical tools remain intact, and he’ll likely get another look somewhere. But time is no longer on his side in the way it once was. The NBA waits for no one, and for Jaxson Hayes, the window to become more than just a journeyman big man is narrowing. The Lakers have made their decision, and while it’s a disappointing one for Hayes, it may yet be the wake-up call he needs to write a different chapter elsewhere.