The Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed free agents Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Jazson Hayes this past week. While these signings may seem small, they will give the team a more serious chance next season.
While Ayton will be paid $8.1 million, LaRavia will gain $6 million from the Lakers’ full mid-level exception. Hayes, however, has received the most shocking deal amidst all this.
While people expected the Lakers to sign Hayes on the veteran’s minimum salary, he got $3.45 million in the deal. Fans can’t help but criticize Rob Pelinka for this decision.
Rob Pelinka Under Scrutiny for Jaxson Hayes Contract
Pelinka is facing a new wave of criticism from fans this week after re-signing Hayes for a one-year, $3.45 million deal. That’s about 120% of the veteran’s minimum salary.
The decision drew outrage from fans who believe that this decision might hamper the team’s ability to improve its roster depth, using the full bi-annual exception, something that the Lakers can’t fully utilize. They are now too close to the first apron, a hard cap, since they used a non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
A fan erupted on X, calling Pelinka the “worst GM ever.”
“Pelinka gave Hayes above minimum when absolutely no other team in the league thought of employing him…. Worst GM ever.”
Pelinka gave Hayes above minimum when absolutely no other team in the league thought of employing him…. Worst GM ever https://t.co/PbzPM1IeIz
— LeBlack Samurai (@FxckChelon) July 7, 2025
Among the heated group of fans was CBS journalist Sam Quinn, writing, “Wait, they gave Hayes more than the minimum? I missed that, and I really disagree with it.”
Wait they gave Hayes more than the minimum? I missed that, and I really disagree with it. https://t.co/w7hKf1nscn
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) July 7, 2025
Senior writer at The Athletic, Sam Vecenie, also did not shy away from speaking his mind. “Who was signing Hayes to a non-minimum, where you felt like you needed to give him the 120%? And if someone is, why don’t you feel like you can replace him with someone else? (This choice limits the Lakers’ ability to use the full Bi-Annual exception due to apron concerns.)
Who was signing Hayes to a non-minimum where you felt like you needed to give him the 120%? And if someone is, why don’t you feel like you can replace him with someone else?
(This choice limits the Lakers ability to use the full Bi-Annual exception due to apron concerns) https://t.co/mgouG1U5Zm
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 7, 2025
A parody account also could not stop commenting on the decision the Lakers took regarding Hayes. “Rob Pelinka gave Jaxson Hayes more than the minimum lol. Cut into our $5 mill BAE, as we now have $3.9”
Rob Pelinka gave Jaxson Hayes more than the minimum lol. Cut into our $5 mill BAE, as we now have $3.9 pic.twitter.com/Sp4A7b5Wbc
— LeLukaShow 🪄👑 (@LeLukaShow) July 7, 2025
Yet another fan displays their shock over the situation. “We gave more than the min for a center we couldn’t use in the playoffs????”
We gave more than the min for a center we couldn’t use in the playoffs???? https://t.co/0f6f472afX
— Richard Staple, BSN, RN🇯🇲 (@RichStapless) July 7, 2025
With Ayton and LaRavia already signed, fans expected the Lakers to pursue impactful additions to strengthen their roster further. Instead of focusing on wing defenders, they locked in Hayes in the rotational spot, leaving everyone frustrated.
Hayes showcased some promising moments last season, especially during a February-March run before getting sidelined by injuries during the playoffs. He appeared in 56 games, starting 35 of them during the 2024-25 season, and averaged 6.8 points, shooting 72.2% from the floor. He also posted 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists during his time on the court.
He has spent six seasons with the Lakers and Pelicans, appearing in 367 career games so far. Despite his credentials, bringing in Hayes above the minimum, the franchise now retains only $3.9 million from their BAE, which is far less than the full allocation required to gain a mid-tier free agent.
