Los Angeles Lakers may move on from Jaxson Hayes after playoff bench role and insider report

The Los Angeles Lakers' quick departure from the 2025 NBA Playoffs has led to some internal assessments, particularly about center Jaxson Hayes. Once viewed as a valuable addition after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, Hayes' playoff performance—or the absence of it—has raised doubts about his future with the team. According to a recent insider report, Hayes' smaller role and frustration with his playoff minutes could mean he won't be with the team next season.In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Jaxson Hayes' involvement with the Los Angeles Lakers dropped a lot. He was averaging 19.5 minutes per game in the regular season, but in the postseason, that number plummeted to just 7.8 minutes per game across four games against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn't play at all in Game 5, showing that head coach JJ Redick didn't have much faith in Hayes when it mattered most.The decrease in playing time hasn't been overlooked. As per Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, Hayes was allegedly not pleased with his lesser role and the financial effects of his reduced minutes. Irwin observed, "In terms of returning talent, sources say there is an outside chance of Jaxson Hayes returning, but he wasn't thrilled about his role disappearing in the postseason and the money he lost as his minutes dwindled."The Lakers decided to trade Anthony Davis to the Mavericks and bring in Luka Dončić, which was supposed to strengthen their frontcourt. But when they tried to trade for center Mark Williams and it fell through, they ended up without a solid center. This became really clear in the playoffs when the Lakers had a tough time keeping up with the Timberwolves' strong frontcourt.Also Read: Pascal Siakam praises Toronto Raptors fans while leading Indiana Pacers to 3-1 series lead over New York KnicksWhile the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to rebuild and strengthen their roster for the next season, Jaxson Hayes' future with the team is still unclear. The fact that he had a reduced role in the playoffs and there are reports of him being unhappy with his position suggests that both parties might be considering a change. As the Lakers work to improve their frontcourt depth, Hayes' potential departure could help reshape the team's lineup in their pursuit of a championship.