Jaxson Hayes holds steady amid the turmoil! After a promising start to the LA Lakers‘ campaign, the backup center has found himself in trouble, again. The NBA has re-opened the investigation of Hayes’ 2021 domestic violence case after new videos surfaced. Notably, the league initially let the 24-year-old rising star walk away without any consequence. Amid this situation, the big man made his first remarks following JJ Redick’s comments.

It’s undoubtedly a delicate situation for the Lakers camp during their transition phase. JJ Redick, who took over the LA side’s coaching job after the Darvin Ham trouble, promised to rebuild the team, focusing more on player development. On the other hand, the team did everything in its power to rope in a veteran big man in the 2024 offseason but failed. So, it’s a given that Hayes, the backup center, has found a spot in Redick’s player development program.

Nevertheless, Redick doesn’t seem shaken up by the potential threat to the big man program. Speaking to media about the investigation, he said, “We’re obviously aware that the investigation has been reopened, and we’re going to cooperate fully. But other than that, I’m not going to have another comment on that.” In a similar vein, Jaxson Hayes, speaking to the media after the loss against the Detroit Pistons said, “Me and my team are working on cooperating with the league with all that and I don’t have any other comments about it right now.”

Tonight, Jaxson Hayes laced up for the game against the Pistons, hours after the NBA’s decision broke out. The big man checked in for 9 minutes, dropping 5 points with 3 rebounds. As of yet, the star plays at an average of 15.7 minutes per game in Redick’s rotation policy. So, the important question is, how will the league’s pending decision affect the Lakers’ run?

Will the league suspend Jaxson Hayes?

The situation can go in any direction looking at the past year Kevin Porter Jr. went through a similar situation when his ex-girlfriend accused him of domestic violence. During the trial, the former Houston Rockets player pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation. However, even before the trial, the Rockets had restricted him from attending the team’s practice and later traded him to the OKC Thunder where he was immediately cut off.

In 2021, the court charged Jaxson Hayes with 12 misdemeanors and sentenced him to three years probation along with a mandate to do community service and attend domestic classes. Notably, the league and the Pelicans didn’t any action on the rising star, unlike the Kevin Porter incident.

However, the league has reopened it again after TMZ shared additional security cam footage of the already sealed-up domestic violence case. According to NBC Sports, the videos involved Hayes and his ex-girlfriend arguing in the residence. During a scuffle near the doorway, Hayes’s ex-girlfriend reportedly said, “Stop. Let go of me.”  And also in another video, outside their residence, she can be heard, saying, “I’m not going to let you hit me anymore… What the f*** do I look like, a punching bag?” 

As of now, Rob Pelinka said, “We felt like he owned, took responsibility for it, and is going to be a better person on the other side of it.” So, the league decision might further change the Lakers’ stance. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.