Lakers center Jaxson Hayes agrees to $12 million deal with Utah

NY Post Published Jul 1, 2026 Reviewed Jul 4, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Utah Jazz signed former Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year, $12 million deal with a team option on the second season.

12000000 USD · Jaxson Hayes contract

The Los Angeles Lakers signed center Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal via sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.

130000000 USD · Walker Kessler contract

Jaxson Hayes averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds over three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2023–26).

6.2 points per game · Jaxson Hayes3.9 rebounds per game · Jaxson Hayes

The Utah Jazz signed former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year contract worth $12 million.

12 million · Jaxson Hayes ESPN, reporter

The second season of Jaxson Hayes' contract with the Utah Jazz is a team option.

ESPN, reporter

Jaxson Hayes was selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

8 · Jaxson Hayes ESPN, reporter

During his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jaxson Hayes averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

6.2 per game · Jaxson Hayes3.9 per game · Jaxson Hayes ESPN, reporter

In the 2025-26 NBA season, Jaxson Hayes averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds over 66 regular season games.

7.5 per game · Jaxson Hayes4.1 per game · Jaxson Hayes66 games · Jaxson Hayes ESPN, reporter

The Utah Jazz signed Walker Kessler to a four-year contract worth $130 million.

130 million · Walker Kessler ESPN, reporter

The Utah Jazz signed Quentin Grimes to a four-year contract worth $60 million.

60 million · Quentin Grimes ESPN, reporter

The Utah Jazz signed Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year contract worth $52 million.

52 million · Sandro Mamukelashvili ESPN, reporter

The Utah Jazz signed Collin Sexton to a two-year contract worth $19 million.

19 million · Collin Sexton ESPN, reporter

See more of our coverage in your search results.

The dominoes of the Lakers’ offseason continue to fall into place.

Backup big man Jaxson Hayes is heading to the Jazz on a two-year deal.

ESPN first reported that Hayes is signing for $12 million across the two years, with a team option on the second season.

Source: The Jazz are signing former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year, $12 million deal. The second season is a team option.

California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

Hayes joined LeBron James (next team to be determined), Marcus Smart (Rockets) and Luke Kennard (Suns) as Lakers from last season who are known to be leaving the team.

Rui Hachimura is also expected to leave in unrestricted free agency.

Hayes, the No. 8 pick in the 2019 draft, spent three seasons with the Lakers (2023-26) after starting his career with the Pelicans.

He averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds during his Lakers tenure, including 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 66 regular season games as the backup big in 2025-26.

Hayes, who shares an agent in Bill Duffy with Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and center Deandre Ayton, was expected to return to the Lakers.

He even got a Slovenian passport to play alongside Doncic on the national team.

But with the Lakers’ widespread moves, adding Walker Kessler (four years, $130 million) in a sign-and-trade from the Jazz, Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million) and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million), left little room for Hayes.

This article was originally published by NY Post ↗. citations.press indexes the source-backed facts above and links to the original. Something wrong? Corrections policy · Report an error