Lakers officially cut ties with Luka Doncic's 7-foot lob threat

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Lakers officially cut ties with Luka Doncic's 7-foot lob threat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Luka Doncic landed his ideal lob threat on Wednesday, as the Los Angeles Lakers acquired former Utah Jazz high-upside center Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade.

On the same day, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that Doncic’s 7-foot lob threat from Feb 2025 to July 2026 is officially departing the franchise.

“The Los Angeles Lakers have officially renounced the free agent rights to LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Dion Waiters, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber, Nick Smith Jr, Jared Dudley, Avery Bradley, Jaxson Hayes, Markieff Morris, and Wayne Ellington”

Hayes, who officially inked a free agent deal with the Utah Jazz two days after Scotto’s report, had his fair share of moments with Doncic in the pick-and-roll. The Texas product enjoyed one of the productive stretches of his career last March, as he averaged 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 79.7% from the field as the beneficiary of several Doncic-assisted lobs.

Things went downhill from there in 2024-25, as Hayes was less effective to close the regular season and didn’t play much of a factor in the Lakers’ first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hayes certainly wasn’t the worst backup center in the league this past season (he averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while connecting on 75.6% of his field goals). Still, his lack of versatility made it challenging to make a valid case for bringing him back for another season.

The 26-year-old should get an opportunity to further develop his game with the rebuilding Jazz in 2026-27 and beyond.

More NBA news:

• 
  Clippers officially outbid Warriors, Spurs for 6-foot-8 ex-Lakers elite sharpshooter
  
  
• 
  Spurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA champion
  
  
• Luka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore

Continue reading...