Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell anticipates a lucrative offseason for teammate Jaxson Hayes, following the Lakers’ 127-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During Sunday night’s game, which saw the Lakers fall short against the Timberwolves, Hayes showcased his potential with a standout performance, tallying a season-high 19 points and 10 assists in the absence of Anthony Davis.
Despite his limited playing time this season, Hayes has demonstrated his ability to make an impact whenever he’s on the court, prompting Russell to praise his contributions and predict a significant increase in salary for the young center.
“He’s gonna make a lot of money this summer… whenever he gets just a little bit of time he dominates it so kudos to him,” Russell said about Hayes postgame, via ClutchPoints.
With a player option in his contract for the upcoming season valued at $2.46 million, Hayes has the opportunity to explore his options in free agency, and Russell believes he will attract considerable interest from teams looking to bolster their frontline.
Russell’s endorsement of Hayes reflects the promising trajectory of the 23-year-old’s career, as he continues to develop and make strides in his game within the Lakers’ lineup.
This season Hayes is averaging 4.3 points and 3 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game for the Lakers.
