Lakers center could be teaming up with Luka Doncic in two ways

Jaxson Hayes is only signed with the Los Angeles Lakers through the upcoming season. If he can realize his international basketball ambitions, he might continue playing with Luka Doncic much longer than that.

Hayes told reporters Sunday that Doncic and his agent approached him about joining Team Slovenia while Doncic was still a member of the Dallas Mavericks. Both Doncic and Hayes are represented by agent Bill Duffy, who also represented Anthony Randolph, the journeyman NBA forward who became a naturalized citizen of Slovenia in 2017.

Doncic has a large influence on the Slovenian team

At EuroBasket 2017, Slovenia's basketball was allowed to add one naturalized citizen to their basketball roster. The guard-heavy Slovenian team, featuring an 18-year-old Doncic and captained by guard Goran Dragic, went with Randolph, the Duffy client. With Randolph on board, Slovenia went 9-0 and won the title.

Now, it's looking for another big man to help Slovenia compete in the FIBA World Cup in 2027 and qualify for the 2028 Olympics — held in the Lakers' home city of Los Angeles. Hayes may only be the Lakers' backup center, but he's an upgrade on what Slovenia has at the center position. Plus, he'll have experience playing with Doncic on the Lakers, and has a powerful agent with experience in getting his clients a passport.

The Lakers added another Bill Duffy client this summer when Deandre Ayton took a buyout of the last year of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, likely with the understanding he could sign with the Lakers. Whereas the Lakers used to add a lot of clients of Rich Paul, the longtime agent of LeBron James, perhaps they're focused on client of their new superstar's agent.

Hayes has many reasons to join Slovenia

While Hayes expressed frustration at USA Basketball, who doesn't hold open tryouts and does its training camps on an invitation-only basis, there's a myriad of reasons this could be a smart move for Hayes.

First, it will let him play more — and bond with — Doncic. Hayes may be on the last year of a near-minimum deal, but Doncic is signed through 2029, with a player option on the 2028-29 season. If he wants his Team Slovenia buddy to remain the Lakers backup center, the Lakers would likely bring the 25-year-old back.

Not only will playing with Doncic help their chemistry, Hayes would also be exposed to international basketball, perhaps opening up his perspective on the sport. But the biggest benefit comes from when and if his NBA opportunities dry up.

With Slovenia citizenship comes a European Union passport. Most European basketball leagues have limits on how many non-European players a team can field — in the Spanish pro league, Liga ACB, that limit is two. If Hayes becomes a Slovenian citizen, he would no longer be subject to those limits, greatly expanding his opportunities.

Becoming Slovenia could help Hayes stay a Laker for longer. It could also keep him a professional basketball player for even longer.