Is Jaxon Hayes leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, or is there still a chance for a return? As NBA free agency approaches, speculation around Hayes’ future has been swirling. Reports suggested the Lakers’ unrestricted free agent center wasn’t thrilled with his reduced role in the postseason and was unlikely to stay in the purple and gold. But now, he has directly addressed the rumors, pushing back against claims that he wants out.
Jaxon Hayes Breaks Silence on Potential Return to the Lakers
Hayes primarily plays as a center in the NBA. If you are a Lakers fan, you should know that this is the position they are lacking most, even though they have Luka Dončić and LeBron James leading the team.
So, as the team prepares for the offseason, its front office’s top priority must be landing a center. That’s why Hayes’ name has recently been making headlines in the news media.
Earlier reports indicated that Hayes was frustrated with his diminished role in the postseason, particularly under head coach JJ Redick, who barely played him in the playoffs. Sources suggested that the Lakers were weighing their options, considering whether Redick had lost faith in Hayes and how he might react to being replaced or demoted.
Jaxson Hayes reportedly wasn’t thrilled with his role on the Lakers toward the end of the season and isn’t expected to stay in L.A, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
“In terms of returning talent, sources say there is an outside chance of Jaxson Hayes returning, but he wasn’t thrilled about… pic.twitter.com/JpxMMg9diN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 28, 2025
However, Jax himself shut down those rumors. During an interaction on Instagram, a fan commented, “Heard you don’t wanna be with the Lakeshow anymore, and I don’t blame you, gang.” The 25-year-old immediately responded, “That’s false, my G. I definitely ain’t say that.”
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It appears that Hayes hasn’t ruled out returning to the Lakers with this answer, despite rumors suggesting he might explore free agency. The Lakers, on the other hand, are aggressively looking into their possibilities for the center position. Reports say they are looking for replacements in both free agency and trade talks.
The 25-year-old did play during the 2025 season, but his impact was very limited. He averaged just 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists over 56 regular-season games.
When the playoffs arrived, his role shrank even more, with his playing time dropping to just 7.8 minutes per game. In fact, he didn’t play at all in Game 5 of the Lakers’ series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Some say he might not be completely out of the picture yet. However, whether he is the right fit or a solid replacement remains unclear. For now, it seems the franchise isn’t strongly considering the Oklahoma native, although his recent comments suggest he could be open to returning to the team.