Now you have to ask the question, Why did Rob gave an unnecessary pay hike to Jaxson Hayes, when no other team even showed interest in signing him?
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2025/7/6/24462820/lakers-jaxson-hayes-contract-bi-annual-exception-minimum-shake-milton
The return of Jaxson Hayes to the Lakers this offseason wasn’t entirely unexpected. The contract he signed, though, is certainly a surprise.
After a strong second half of the regular season, Hayes returned to the Lakers on Thursday to serve as the backup to Deandre Ayton, a more natural role. That assumption was that Hayes had signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum.
However, Bobby Marks of ESPN reported that Hayes signed for 120% of his the six-year minimum using non-bird rights. In short, he was paid more than what was expected.
[b[u]]Luka Doncic involved in Lakers’ offseason plans
According to recent reports, Luka Doncic is privy to all the moves the Lakers have been making this offseason. He shares an agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, with both of the Lakers’ two center signings in Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.
The Lakers obviously are hoping to sign Doncic to a contract extension when he becomes eligible in August, so perhaps that was also a factor in giving someone like Hayes a raise on his new contract as a favor to the agency ahead of the upcoming negotiations.[/b][/u]
https://lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-jaxson-hayes-contract-raise-doesnt-allow-for-use-of-full-bi-annual-exception/
IMO, this contract would have been justifiable IF Hayes played decent minutes AND had significant contributions in the last playoffs but the center played 4 mins in the last 2 games, including ZERO minutes in the elimination game.
JJ COMPLETELY lost confidence with this guy that he would rather play the very rusty Kleber, yes the very very same guy who has NEVER played with Lebron, Rui, Reaves before in the game when they were facing elimination.
Luka's agent Bill Duffy was fully aware that Pelinka was getting very desperate in acquiring a Legit Center, hmmmm, Sure Ayton would sign and provide that need in exchange for what?.....
29 other teams did NOT offer Hayes any contract so why pay this guy 5 Mil instead of the Vet Minimum 3.5 Mil?
