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Jazz add ex-Lakers center immediately after trading Walker Kessler to LA
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- Jazz add ex-Lakers center immediately after trading Walker Kessler to LA
Jazz add ex-Lakers center immediately after trading Walker Kessler to LA appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
On Wednesday, the Utah Jazz made a huge move by dealing center Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a treasure trove of draft assets. The move now clears up cap space for the Jazz and gives them significant flexibility moving forward, and later in the day on Wednesday, the team made another move at least adjacent to the Lakers.
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" Jaxson Hayes is signing a 2-year, $12 million deal with the Jazz," reported ClutchPoints on X, formerly Twitter, citing a report from Tim McMahon of ESPN. "The second season is a team option."
Hayes had a mixed bag of a tenure with the Lakers over the last couple of seasons, at times putting the athleticism and burst that made him a former lottery pick on display, but frustrating fans with his lack of finishing moves around the basket, as well as his sometimes questionable defense.
Hayes now joins a Utah team that is in need of frontcourt depth in the aftermath of the Kessler trade, but still has plenty of things to be excited about heading into this season. The Jazz recently selected Darryn Peterson with the number two overall pick in the NBA Draft, and are also waiting to see what the duo of Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. looks like in the frontcourt and on the wing.
It remains to be seen if Hayes will be the starting center for the Jazz this year, but it's safe to assume he'll at least see some rotational minutes.
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Related: Lakers pay steep trade price to Jazz to get Walker Kessler on $130 million contract
