![\"Lakers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2247400324-e1771488922790.jpg\")
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Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes and Luka Doncic during a game against the Utah Jazz in November 2025<\/p>\n
Consistency at the center position has remained an ongoing challenge for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, and this season has done little to change that narrative.<\/p>\n The franchise signed former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton<\/a> last offseason with the hope that he could provide stability in the frontcourt and develop into a long-term fit alongside Luka Doncic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead, Ayton\u2019s performances have been inconsistent, and questions surrounding his role and long-term future<\/a> in Los Angeles have only intensified<\/a>.<\/p>\n Amid that uncertainty, backup center Jaxson Hayes<\/a> has quietly begun to emerge<\/a>.<\/p>\n His recent play, combined with an unexpected off-court development, may have strengthened his case to remain part of the Lakers\u2019 plans moving forward.<\/p>\n Lakers Center Jaxson Hayes Strengthens Luka Doncic Connection<\/p>\n In recent weeks, reports surfaced<\/a> indicating that Hayes was in the final stages of obtaining Slovenian citizenship, a move that would allow him to represent the national team alongside Doncic.<\/p>\n According to ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhorst<\/a>, Hayes has now completed that process, and the connection to Doncic could have meaningful implications for his future in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n \u201cJaxson Hayes completed the paperwork to become a Slovenian,\u201d Windhorst said. \u201cHe can join the Slovenian national team for Luka, which I\u2019d like to say is one of the smartest things Jaxson Hayes has ever done because I think he\u2019s just secretly signed a contract extension.\u201d<\/p>\n Windhorst\u2019s comment was not meant literally, but rather as a reflection of how Hayes\u2019 growing alignment with Doncic, both internationally and on the court, could strengthen his long-term standing within the organization.<\/p>\n Hayes originally joined the Lakers in 2023 on a two-year, $4.6 million deal before returning last offseason on a one-year, $3.4 million contract<\/a>. He is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.<\/p>\n While he has long provided dependable minutes in a limited role, Hayes\u2019 recent performances suggest he could be carving out a more significant place within the rotation.<\/p>\n Lakers Evaluating Center Position as Hayes\u2019 Role Expands<\/p>\n Through 45 games this season, Hayes has averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assist while shooting an impressive 77.2% from the field, the highest mark of his career.<\/p>\n His production has increased notably in recent weeks. Over the past five games, a stretch in which Ayton has missed time through injury, Hayes has averaged 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steal in just over 21 minutes per game.<\/p>\n His impact was particularly evident in the Lakers\u2019 final game before the All-Star break against the Dallas Mavericks<\/a>, where Hayes delivered one of his most complete performances of the season.<\/p>\n He finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block, while posting a team-high plus-26 rating.<\/p>\n Despite his strong form, a permanent shift in the starting lineup may present challenges. Ayton remains an established starter and previously expressed frustration<\/a> regarding his offensive role, which could complicate any immediate changes.<\/p>\n According to ESPN\u2019s Bobby Marks<\/a>, the Lakers are projected to have approximately $51 million in cap space this summer to pursue roster upgrades, even after factoring in Austin Reaves<\/a>\u2019 $20.9 million free agent hold.<\/p>\n Marks\u2019 colleague Kevin Pelton<\/a> has identified center as a key position of focus, signaling that further adjustments could be made regardless of Ayton\u2019s $8.1 million player option.<\/p>\n For Hayes, however, his recent performances and growing connection with Doncic have already strengthened his position. Whether through continued development or a new contract, he has given the Lakers plenty to consider as they evaluate their future at center.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMatt Evans<\/a> is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Lakers\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes and Luka Doncic during a game against the Utah Jazz in November 2025 Consistency…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":490532,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-490531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/490531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=490531"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/490531\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/490532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=490531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=490531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=490531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}