As the NBA prepares for the official start of free agency, the first dominoes are starting to fall into place for the Los Angeles Lakers.
A big one was the status of starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, who had until Saturday to decide whether to opt in to his player option for the 2024-25 season. Late on Friday night, he reportedly decided to pick up that option, which means he will remain a member of the Lakers — at least for now.
Shortly after, center Jaxson Hayes reportedly followed suit, which means he will also stay on the Lakers’ roster for next season.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes is exercising his $2.4 million player option to return for the 2024-25 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hayes reunites with new coach JJ Redick. pic.twitter.com/FCmbZAWwoK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2024
Los Angeles signed Hayes last summer in order to provide depth at the center position behind superstar Anthony Davis. Hayes’ intensity and production came and went, but there were times when he boxed out hard, moved without the ball and gave the team a lift off the bench.
The 7-footer averaged 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.4 blocked shots in 12.5 minutes a game while shooting 72% from the field during the 2023-24 campaign.