The Utah Jazz have reportedly secured a new center, Jaxson Hayes, through a free-agent agreement. This move comes as Walker Kessler departs the Jazz to join the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal. The reported signing of Hayes provides the Jazz with additional frontcourt depth as the team continues to shape its roster.
According to reports, Hayes has agreed to a two-year contract with Utah, valued at $12 million. This agreement includes a team option for the second season. The Jazz have not yet made an official announcement regarding the signing, as NBA teams are able to finalize free-agent contracts following the league’s moratorium period.
Hayes’ Transition to Utah
Hayes, who is 26 years old, spent his previous three seasons with the Lakers. Before his time in Los Angeles, he began his professional basketball career with the New Orleans Pelicans. During the 2025-2026 season, Hayes participated in 66 games, starting in nine of them. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, achieving a career-best shooting percentage of 75.6 percent from the field.
His performance last season saw him primarily serve as the backup center to Deandre Ayton, who played in a career-high 72 games during his first year with Los Angeles. Together, Hayes and Ayton provided a consistent rotation at the center position for the Lakers, which helped to create opportunities for the team’s star players, including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
Hayes is recognized for his athleticism, his ability to run the rim, and his presence as a shot-blocker. He was originally selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. His addition is expected to bolster the Jazz’s frontcourt as they aim to complete their rebuilding phase and contend for a playoff spot in the upcoming season.
Kessler’s Departure and Lakers’ Acquisitions
The acquisition of Hayes by Utah follows the departure of Kessler to the Lakers. Los Angeles reportedly signed Kessler to a substantial four-year contract worth $130 million. This move was part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Jazz. The Lakers also strengthened their frontcourt by signing Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million contract, which includes a player option in the final year.
With Ayton exercising his player option to remain with the Lakers, the team’s frontcourt became crowded, leaving no available spot for Hayes on their depth chart. The Lakers concluded the past season with a record of 53-29, securing the Pacific Division title for the second consecutive year. They advanced to the conference semifinals after defeating the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Jazz, on the other hand, are coming off a challenging 2025-26 campaign, where they finished with a record of 22-60, tying for the worst record in the Western Conference. This performance earned them the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, which they used to select Kansas sharpshooter Darryn Peterson. The decision by Kessler to join the Lakers, despite a potentially higher income tax rate in California compared to Utah, suggests that financial considerations may not have been the sole factor in his choice.
Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 24, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images” width=”960″ height=”640″ />Kessler had previously expressed his affection for Salt Lake City and the Jazz organization on social media, stating his desire to remain with the team. However, the Jazz were reportedly hesitant to commit a significant portion of their salary cap to a player who had not yet achieved All-Star or All-Defense honors and had only played in 61% of possible games since joining the team. The move to acquire Hayes is seen as a strategic step for the Jazz as they continue their rebuild.
The Lakers’ decision to acquire Kessler and other big men, coupled with Ayton’s return, created a situation where Hayes’ role in Los Angeles became redundant. Hayes’ contract with the Jazz includes a team option for the second season.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
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