The Lakers 15-man new team is released: Hayes returns and wins the trade veto, James Doncic leads the championship

On July 4, the Lakers' 15-man roster was released in the new season. According to ESPN's famous reporter Shams, free agent center Jaxson Hayes signed a one-year contract to return to the Lakers, and his agent Bill Duffy has finalized the contract with Pelinka.

Since the offseason this year, the Lakers have used a two-year, $12 million contract to sign Laravia, and then signed 18-year No. 1 pick Ayton for $16.6 million in two years, and now the Lakers have another one-year contract to keep Hays. It is expected that Ayton will serve as the Lakers' starting center, and Hays will serve as Ayton's substitute; it is worth mentioning that the Lakers' signing of Hays may mean that they give up Horford, or may join the Warriors or choose to retire.

According to Lakers reporter Trevor Lane, according to the labor agreement, since the 2025-26 season will be Hayes' third season with the Lakers, he will get his bird rights after the season, so he will have the trade veto in the new season; if he wants, he can block any trade, but the reporter clarified that this privilege was not given by the Lakers, which is automatically owned by Hayes, and he may give up the trade veto.

Last season, Hays played 56 regular season games for the Lakers (35 starts), averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 19.5 minutes, and shot 72.2%. Beside James and Doncic, Hays can often complete wonderful all-in contacts. He will partner with Ayton in the new season with the Lakers inside, so they will wait to get a dunk.

The Lakers signed two centers (Aiton and Hays) in 2 days. With Hays returning to the Lakers' contract for one year, there are already 15 players on the Lakers' roster - James, Doncic, Vincent, Brownie, Reeves, Kneckett, Goodwin, Milton, Haymura Leaf, Laravia, Thiero, Vanderbilt, Aiton, Hays, and Cleber. Among them, Milton's 3 million contract is insured, and the Lakers will determine whether to turn it into a guarantee contract by July 20.

The total annual salary of the Lakers roster is US$192.6 million, which is only 3 million away from the first tycoon line. The Lakers still have a biennial special case worth US$5 million. What other actions will Pelinka take next? Let's wait and see.