If you had to answer the question, how many Slovenian players are there on JJ Redick’s Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, you’d no doubt take a moment before confidently replying, one. If, however, you address this query in a few weeks from now, the answer may have indeed doubled.
Clearly, the Lakers have Slovenia’s greatest-ever basketball player on their roster in Luka Dončić, acquired in a surprise trade from the Dallas Mavericks last February. The move sent shockwaves through the league, and his arrival has only strengthened expectations in Los Angeles. Yet while Dončić’s impact on the court has been immediate, there is growing speculation that one of his teammates may be looking to follow his lead off it — by pursuing the same national ties as the six-time NBA All-Star.
Sitting atop the Pacific Division, the Lakers appear well-positioned for a postseason run, with Dončić, LeBron James, and company once again in title contention. That renewed optimism has naturally extended beyond the court, dominating daily sports talk and influencing how analysts frame preseason pricing. For readers who want a general primer on how NBA odds and futures markets are typically structured, context is available at sportsline nba betting.
But beyond projections and market chatter, another intriguing storyline is unfolding within the locker room, one that has little to do with championship odds and everything to do with international ambition.
That naturally raises the question: which Laker is reportedly considering becoming a national team compatriot of Dončić? The answer is Jaxson Hayes.
The Los Angeles Lakers center is actively pursuing Slovenian citizenship, with the explicit goal of joining teammate Luka Dončić on the Slovenian national basketball team for future international competitions.
This move, which initially seems like a wild rumour at best and a joke at worst, has been widely reported by reputable outlets such as ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and Lakers Nation. It could significantly bolster Slovenia’s frontcourt and provide Hayes with valuable international experience.
According to reports, Hayes has already completed substantial paperwork for naturalization.
The impetus for this endeavor appears to stem directly from his burgeoning relationship with Dončić, both on and off the court. Hayes is said to see this as an opportunity to not only compete at a high level internationally but also to further develop his chemistry with one of the NBA’s premier talents, something Reddick would surely support.
While the naturalization process for international basketball can be complex, and national teams typically have only one naturalized player spot, Hayes’s active pursuit of this indicates a clear intent from both the player and, potentially, the Slovenian federation.
For Slovenia, adding a skilled, athletic 6’11” center like Hayes would provide much-needed size and athleticism against top international opponents. It would also allow them to potentially free up their traditional “naturalized player” slot if Hayes qualifies under different criteria, or it signifies a strategic decision to utilize that spot on him.
This move could set up an exciting dynamic for Slovenia’s future tournaments, potentially allowing Hayes and Dončić to extend their on-court partnership beyond the NBA season, much like other NBA stars have done by playing for their national teams.
As for Reddick, he’ll just be keen to see Hayes and Dončić combine as effectively as possible in Lakers colors.
Having seen his side fall at the first hurdle of the postseason in 2024/25, Reddick will demand that his roster compete more effectively in the playoffs, with the Lakers’ current form boding well for the Crypto.com Arena franchise.
