The Lakers may still have a need for Jaxson Hayes, but his value on the open market is capped at a contract just above the veteran minimum. In Game 4 against the Thunder, Hayes delivered a commendable performance, showing toughness and even posing some threat to Oklahoma City’s interior defense. However, looking at his overall showing across 10 playoff games, he has proven to be merely a competent backup center.
In today’s NBA landscape, no sensible team would commit $7 million annually to a third-string center like Clint Capela — and history shows such contracts often become dead weight. The market value for backup centers now hovers around the minimum or slightly above. Exceeding that threshold risks creating a toxic deal, as exemplified by Jonas Valančiūnas with the Denver Nuggets. Notably, both the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the first round this postseason.
Does Los Angeles still need Hayes? The answer is yes. He has spent several seasons with the Lakers and has outlasted other players, earning recognition within the system for his contributions. His regular-season performances have also been solid. But if the price tag reaches $7 million or more, the Lakers should let him walk. Investing too much salary in a backup center is unwise; it would be better to save that money to acquire a reliable reserve guard — a player who can truly make a difference in high-stakes moments. The gap between backup centers, after all, is not that significant.
Could another team offer Hayes $7 million or more on the market? It’s possible. For instance, the New Orleans Pelicans gave Kevon Looney a similar contract last year despite already having first-round picks Yves Missi and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in their frontcourt. Looney ended up playing sparingly and had little impact. If such a scenario arises for Hayes, the Lakers can only wish him well — and move on.
