Lakers agree to one-year deal with former first-round pick, get insurance at center

Hayes, 25, signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in 2023 and has appeared in 126 games for the team since then, averaging 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.6 blocks with a 72.1% field-goal percentage in 15.6 minutes per night.

The former eighth overall pick took on an increased role during the second half of last season following Anthony Davis‘ abdominal injury and the subsequent trade sending AD to Dallas. Hayes’ last 32 outings of the regular season were starts, as he boosted his averages to 8.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 1.0 BPG in 21.9 MPG during that stretch.

Hayes’ starting role carried over to the postseason, but he struggled in the Lakers’ first-round series against Minnesota and was limited to single-digit minutes in each of the first four games before being removed as the starter for Game 5. While he was perhaps miscast as a starter, the 7-footer is a solid reserve option behind presumed starter Deandre Ayton in the middle.

Charania’s report doesn’t include any financial details on the deal, but it will likely be a minimum-salary contract, given that Hayes was earning the minimum for each of the past two seasons.

The Lakers now project to have 15 players under contract, assuming No. 36 pick Adou Thiero gets a standard roster spot, notes insider Jovan Buha. However, Shake Milton‘s $3M salary is non-guaranteed, so the team has a little flexibility with that 15th spot. Jordan Goodwin also doesn’t have a guaranteed salary, but the expectation is that he’ll return after playing rotation minutes down the stretch last season.