The Los Angeles Lakers have bolstered their center rotation by re-signing Jaxson Hayes to a one-year deal, per a report from ESPN. This agreement was finalized on Thursday, just a day after the team announced plans to sign Deandre Ayton to a two-year contract.

Jaxson Hayes, who was the 8th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, began his NBA journey with the New Orleans Pelicans. After a challenging stint, he joined the Lakers in 2023. During his inaugural season, Hayes started only five games, averaging less than 13 minutes on the floor per game.

In the previous season, Hayes unexpectedly stepped into a more significant role following a trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, making him the starting center. He appeared in 56 games, starting 35, and produced averages of 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per outing. Despite his effective play, his minutes dropped in the playoffs, and he was benched entirely during Game 5 of their recent first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.