In a league where only the biggest stars typically wield the power to veto trades (even if…), Jaxson Hayes has quietly joined an elite club. This however now thanks to superstardom, but to a little-known clause buried in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
The 26-year-old center has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year deal for the 2025–26 season, marking his third consecutive one-year contract with the franchise. That detail, while seemingly minor, triggered a unique provision in the CBA: Hayes now holds a full no-trade clause for the duration of his new deal.
This clause, often reserved for marquee names like LeBron James or Bradley Beal, gives Hayes the right to veto any trade involving him during the season. It’s a rare privilege for a role player, and it stems from a technicality that few fans, and even some front offices, may not fully appreciate.
Under the NBA’s CBA, a player who signs three consecutive one-year contracts with the same team and has Bird rights (which allow teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own players) automatically gains the right to veto any trade. The logic is simple: if a player has shown loyalty and consistency with a team on short-term deals, they shouldn’t be shipped off without consent.
This isn’t a clause the Lakers negotiated into Hayes’s contract, it’s a built-in protection that activates by rule. As NBA cap expert Trevor Lane explained,
“It happens with every one-year deal for a player getting three or more seasons consecutively with any team because they acquire Bird rights at that point, and those would be lost with a trade”.
To put this in perspective, only two players had full no-trade clauses last season: LeBron James and Bradley Beal. Hayes now joins that exclusive list, not because of All-Star accolades, but because of timing, consistency, and a bit of CBA trivia.
It’s a fascinating twist for a player who averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 56 games last season. Hayes started 35 of those contests and played a key role in the Lakers’ frontcourt rotation, especially after the departure of Anthony Davis. Though he saw limited minutes in the playoffs, the Lakers clearly valued his presence enough to bring him back, this time with a contractual shield few players ever earn.
For Los Angeles, the clause adds a wrinkle to their roster flexibility. While Hayes is on a modest deal, reportedly near the veteran minimum, the team can’t include him in any trade without his explicit approval. That could complicate future moves, especially if the Lakers look to package contracts in a midseason deal.
Still, the Lakers’ decision to re-sign Hayes suggests they’re comfortable with the arrangement. With Deandre Ayton now in the fold and Hayes returning as a backup, the team has solidified its frontcourt depth heading into a pivotal season.
While Hayes can waive the clause if he chooses, the fact that he now holds this power is a testament to how even role players can benefit from the intricacies of the CBA. It also gives him a rare sense of stability in a league where trades can happen overnight.
