Jaxson Hayes has a chance to secure a hefty new contract this offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing exceptionally well over the past six weeks, especially since acquiring Luka Doncic. They have climbed to second place in the Western Conference and are in a strong position to claim home-court advantage in the first round. As long as LeBron James and Doncic stay healthy, the Lakers will be a formidable opponent for anyone in the postseason.
One of the most surprising elements of the Lakers’ rise has been their defensive performance. In fact, they now hold the best defensive rating in the league since February 1. Their defense has actually improved since trading Anthony Davis.
This is impressive for a team that lacks depth and quality in the frontcourt. An overlooked factor in their success has been Jaxson Hayes. Stepping into a larger role following Davis’ departure, Hayes has been silencing critics and positioning himself for a big payday.
Hayes’ contract ends at the season’s conclusion. After two years on a minimum contract, Hayes is almost guaranteed a substantial salary increase. However, the exact amount will depend on his performance during the remainder of the season, especially in the playoffs.
The 24-year-old center has started the last 15 games for the Lakers. Since the All-Star break, his minutes per game have risen to over 23. During this period, he has averaged 8.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 76.3% from the field. A lot of his efficiency can be credited to Doncic, who excels as a pick-and-roll partner and lob passer.
As a result, the Lakers have been 3.6 points per 100 possessions better with Hayes on the court than without him, according to Cleaning the Glass. The team’s defensive rating with him on the floor stands at an impressive 109.8.
If Hayes maintains this level of play, he is set to earn a significant amount of money in the coming months. Whether the Lakers can afford to keep him, however, remains uncertain.