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The Los Angeles Lakers center, Jaxson Hayes, is in the final stages of completing paperwork to obtain Slovenian citizenship and represent Slovenia alongside Luka Doncic, sources tell BasketNews. Hayes, 25, born in Norman, Oklahoma, first confirmed in October that he was pursuing Slovenian citizenship. According to BasketNews sources, the process is nearing completion, with Hayes finalizing the remaining paperwork to obtain a Slovenian passport. If completed on time, Hayes would be eligible to play for Slovenia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualification windows in July and August.
LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes are in the final year of their contracts. Austin Reaves has a player option for next season, but he’s expected to see what he can earn in free agency. The Lakers can offer him the most — up to five years and $241 million. Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart also have player options. When a team is going through some struggles — much like the Lakers, who are just 7-8 since Reaves went down with a calf injury on Christmas — playing time and points can become major issues for players looking for new contracts. “I’ve been here for four seasons now and every year it’s almost the same but it’s different,” Rui Hachimura said. “You have to survive too, so I get it, I understand it. I think we talked about before the season winning is going to help. So, we got to focus on that and everything is going to come out.”
The Lakers (25-16) are clinging to a top-six playoff spot at the midpoint of the season despite playing 19 different starting lineups in the first 41 games. With guard Luka Doncic and centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes back in the lineup after they were sidelined against Portland on Saturday, the Lakers notched their first win over a team with a winning record since Dec. 14. “We’re staying together,” Ayton said. “There’s times where we’ve had some slump moments, but guys in here, we’re cool, we’re tight. … It’s a process and I feel like tonight is another step in the right direction.”
Dave McMenamin: Lakers injury report for tonight vs. TOR: LeBron and Luka questionable; Ayton and Hayes off the injury report; LaRavia and Smart both available after getting dinged up last night
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Dave McMenamin: Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring) is out tonight in Portland, per the Lakers
Dan Woike: No Luka Dončić Saturday in Portland because of left groin soreness. Also, the Lakers two centers, Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, are both questionable
Redick said backup center Jaxson Hayes had an MRI scan that revealed hamstring tendinopathy in his left leg. Hayes, who is averaging 6.3 points per game, has missed two games because of the injury. “It’s hopefully a short-term thing and hopefully he’ll be back at some point this weekend,” Redick said. The Lakers play at Portland on Saturday before facing the Toronto Raptors at home on Sunday.
Dave McMenamin: Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring soreness) is out tonight, per the Lakers
Dave McMenamin: LeBron James and Luka Doncic are both questionable tonight. Jaxson Hayes is out
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Dave McMenamin: JJ Redick said that Jaxson Hayes (L ankle) practiced Monday. However, the whac-a-mole with LAL's lineup continued with Rui Hachimura sitting out. "We're still waiting on a little more info," Redick said of Rui. "We don't think it's anything serious, he's just a little banged up"
Law Murray: Jaxson Hayes returned to practice, Rui Hachimura (tbd) did not. Gabe Vincent still not back.
