(Julio Cortez / Associated Press) Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended one game without pay for pushing a Washington Wizards mascot during pregame introductions, the NBA announced Wednesday. The Lakers played the Wizards at Capital One Arena on Friday night. Hayes will miss the Lakers' game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The backup center is averaging 6.4 points on 77.5% shooting and 3.8 rebounds. He's the primary lob threat for Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic.
From talking to NBA executives and scouts who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, the most likely scenario for the Lakers is to make moves along the margins. NBA people say the Lakers are looking for big wing players, but they said so is most of the league.