The Los Angeles Lakers are now free to begin negotiating with their own free agents as the offseason officially begins. While the future of their big three remains in limbo, new reporting indicates the team is interested in retaining two key role players around them.
Report Hints at Lakers’ Stance on 2 Key Free Agents
In a Monday morning story outlining the unanswered questions around LeBron James’ future, The Athletic’s Dan Woike revealed the Lakers’ internal beliefs about Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes:
“The belief is that Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes are players the Lakers would prioritize bringing back as they try to best fit a roster around Dončić. And each piece of the puzzle the Lakers feel they need to add into their cap space takes up a slice that could go to James.”
Rui Hachimura
Hachimura is coming off his fourth year with the Lakers after the best postseason of his career—one in which he shot the lights out from distance to rewrite the playoff history books. His red-hot scoring came amid dire straits for the purple and gold, who largely navigated the playoffs without Luka Doncic and—up until Game 5 against the Houston Rockets—Austin Reaves.
In ten playoff games, Hachimura boasted a career-best 17.5 points per game while shooting 54.9% from the field, 56.9% from deep and 72.9% from the free-throw line. That production built on his regular-season success, where in 68 games (41 starts), he put up 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds on .514/.443/.694 splits.
Although he shifted to a reserve role midway through the season, it didn’t diminish his effectiveness as a scorer, which proved vital for a second unit that could barely throw a pea in the ocean. From opening night last October to mid-January of this year, the team’s bench ranked dead last in scoring (25.1 PPG) on 46.1% shooting from the field. Since Hachimura’s move to the bench on Jan. 13, the Lakers’ second unit gradually improved to 27th in points per game (32.6) while shooting a respectable 50.9% from the field and 37.4% from three.
Though the acquisition of Luke Kennard clearly helped, Hachimura did his part as well. In 26 games off the bench in that span, he averaged a modest 8.7 points per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 39.6% from deep.
Between Hachimura’s efficiency with the second unit and his playoff breakout in a time of need, it’s no wonder why the Lakers may look to keep him around. If the 28-year-old is still willing to serve as LA’s sixth man, there’s no reason to deny him that opportunity, giving the Lakers their desired continuity in a player who fits their culture and playing style.
Jaxson Hayes
From highlight-reel slams to improved defensive effort, Jaxson Hayes was solid as the Lakers’ backup five. In a time where the position reeks of uncertainty, it may be worth keeping the 26-year-old as the second- or third-string center next season.
In 66 games (nine starts), Hayes averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.8 blocks. He also shot a career-high 75.6% from the field and even went a perfect 3-for-3 from 3-point range.
Hayes proved his worth as a valuable lob threat out of the pick-and-roll, enhancing his chemistry with Doncic and Reaves while steadying the ship amid Deandre Ayton’s rollercoaster campaign. While foul trouble continued to plague him defensively (1.9 per game in the regular season, 2.7 in the playoffs), Hayes also showed more discipline on that end of the floor and helped Ayton shut down Alperen Sengun in LA’s first-round series against Houston.
The 26-year-old is up for his third contract with the Lakers this summer, and he’s done enough to earn it with his consistent growth and energizing play. Even if the trade or free agency markets present better backup options, Hayes is worth keeping as a familiar face to shore up the Lakers’ center depth.
Dave basically told everyone a month ago/hinted at Jaxson being a key piece they view coming back.
-Luka loves him
-He's going to be the center for Lukas international team
-same agent
-I WOULDNT be surprised, if they think he can handle the full time back up, or maybe even… https://t.co/21RuzI7Uzm— Ryan Lucas (@RyanLucas_LA) June 15, 2026
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