Lakers Deliver Again Shock Free Agent After Deandre Ayton Signing initially appeared on Athlon Sports activities.
The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed a shocking free agent of their very own, even after signing waived former Portland Path Blazers Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal.
L.A. had been in determined want of a beginning 5 ever since common supervisor Rob Pelinka flipped 10-time All-Star middle Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks as a part of the workforce’s bundle to acquire five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic.
The Lakers offloaded Davis, taking pictures guard Max Christie, and their unprotected 2029 first spherical draft choose in change for Doncic, plus large males Maxi Kleber (a still-useful rotation participant who, now that he is wholesome, may grow to be a commerce chip) and Markieff Morris, a former 2020 L.A. champ whose NBA usefulness seems to be approaching its finish.
Dallas and Los Angeles flipped 2025 second spherical picks to the Utah Jazz in order that the Lakers may ditch 2023 first spherical choice Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Pelinka did attempt to give Doncic a rim-rolling younger large. He initially traded then-rookie swingman Dalton Knecht and a 2031 first rounder to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams — solely to place a kibosh on the deal when Williams failed his workforce bodily after the commerce deadline had handed. Pelinka pivoted, bringing in a ineffective Alex Len off the buyout market.
Williams was later traded to the Phoenix Suns for a pair of first spherical picks throughout the draft, in a deal that was not rescinded.
In the end, head coach JJ Redick was compelled to maintain Davis’ finest backup, Jaxson Hayes, put in as his starter. Hayes was competent throughout the common season, however his limitations proved evident within the playoffs.
So it got here as a little bit of a shock on Thursday night time to find whom the Lakers had signed as a possible Ayton backup.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, L.A. has introduced again Hayes on a one-year deal, regardless of getting so sick of him within the postseason that, by the top of the playoffs, he was a DNP – CD.
Hayes emerged because the Lakers beginning middle final season and shot a profession excessive 72.2% from the sphere and completed top-10 in area purpose share allowed as contesting defender on layups and dunks amongst gamers to contest 250+ photographs. Now backs up new Lakers large man Deandre Ayton. https://t.co/asmF2uLqSw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2025
In equity, a wholesome Kleber may simply slot in forward of Hayes as Redick’s most popular Ayton backup of selection.
The Lakers may additionally commerce the movable contracts of vets like Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt or Kleber to herald a greater choice. Hayes as a 3rd middle — or perhaps a fourth, if Redick continues to discover Rui Hachimura minutes in a small-ball strategy — is comparatively innocent, particularly throughout a protracted common season the place Ayton ceaselessly misses video games.
In 56 video games final yr, Hayes averaged 6.8 factors on 72.2% area purpose taking pictures and 62.2% free throw taking pictures, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks per. As Charania notes, the 7-foot Texas product is a stable finisher across the rim.
Associated: Analyzing Lakers’ Growth-or-Bust Transfer for Deandre Ayton
This story was initially reported by Athlon Sports activities on Jul 4, 2025, the place it first appeared.
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