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The Los Angeles Lakers are considered by most to be championship contenders for this season. However, they have a hole at the center position.
In an attempt to plug that hole, they signed free agent big man Jaxson Hayes a few weeks ago. Hayes may not end up being a difference-maker, but his ability to block shots, run the floor and finish above the rim should definitely help.
Like his new teammate LeBron James, Hayes is an Ohioan. He went to high school in Cincinnati. He said he once made a bet with James about whose former high school would win the state championship.
Sat down & chatted stats, fourth grade memories & more with Lakers no. 11
Get to Know | @hayes_jaxson pic.twitter.com/LpVkNN9nUK
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 10, 2023
“Being a kid from Ohio, I used to watch LeBron growing up. It’s definitely going to be pretty wild having LeBron as a teammate. Me and him have talked a lot throughout the years since I started playing, we had a bet a few years ago about my high school beating his high school in the state championship and then COVID shut that down. So, yeah, we never got to finish out that bet, but hopefully we can.”
Midwesterners have a special bond with each other, and perhaps Hayes and James will develop some special chemistry, especially since the big man can seriously elevate and throw down big dunks.