Overview
- Hours after trading Walker Kessler, the Jazz agreed to sign former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year, $12 million contract with the second year a team option.
- The deal was reported by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and fills immediate center depth needs created by the Kessler trade.
- Hayes averaged about 18 minutes, 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 66 games for the Lakers last season and projects as reserve frontcourt depth behind or alongside Jusuf Nurkić.
- Utah structured the contract to keep a low near-term cap hit and preserve flexibility for future moves or signings, with the team option giving the Jazz an easy out after one season.
- Coverage notes past domestic violence allegations involving Hayes and says the Jazz have not publicly addressed those issues in announcing the signing.