NBA – After the end of the season, a Laker particularly bitter against the franchise!

Par Mathieu Seguin | Rédacteur sport

JJ Redick made some questionable choices during the playoffs, particularly when it came to trying to stop Rudy Gobert. Jaxson Hayes was completely snubbed and it seems he didn’t appreciate it at all. All the more reason to confirm his departure.

While there’s a lot of talk about Lakers arrivals, with the need for a pivot, the franchise will also have to deal with departures over the summer. Not everyone is happy with JJ Redick’s management, not least because of the recent playoffs. If Rudy Gobert had fun on the other side, it’s also because the coach decided to do without Hayes.

Despite direct requests from LeBron James to play the pivot more often, Redick ultimately refused. Hayes started 4 out of 5 games, but never played more than 10 minutes. Clearly, he didn’t have his coach’s confidence, and it’s always hard to move on. Especially as the former Pelicans star is a free agent this summer.

Laker expected to leave this summer

So will Hayes be back after all this fuss? Most likely not, as he doesn’t have his coach’s trust, which is a problem for a 25-year-old player. Many fans think that Redick was right, and yet LeBron was the first to support number 11. So he won’t be happy to hear that his departure is on the cards.

This departure is more or less expected and confirmed by Anthony Irwing. He had already mentioned the news in a message on Twitter, but he gave more information in his article. And according to him, Hayes predictably didn’t take too kindly to being benched at important moments. We’re not talking about a veteran, after all.

Anthony Irwin : “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. From the Lakers perspective, they’re weighing Redick losing faith in him, how he might handle them bringing in his replacement or the inevitable demotion he’d be in line for this summer.”

Managing players well is obviously important, and it’s not clear that Redick has done the best possible job. Hayes remains a player barely 25 years old, present in Los Angeles in exchange for just over 2 million a year. He certainly wanted to put himself on the map, but he failed. It remains to be seen whether he’ll agree to come back at a low salary.