The Los Angeles Lakers' frontcourt makeover continued Wednesday, but this time it came with a departure.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Utah Jazz.

The second season of the deal is a team option, giving Utah an athletic center following its trade of Walker Kessler to the Lakers.

The signing came less than 24 hours after the Lakers acquired Kessler from the Jazz in a blockbuster sign-and-trade, ending L.A.'s search for a long-term starting center.

With Deandre Ayton opting into his $8.1 million player option this summer with the Lakers and set to be the backup behind Kessler in L.A., it determined Hayes' fate with the franchise and exit in free agency.

Hayes spent the past three seasons with the Lakers after signing with the team ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. While he never developed into a full-time starter, he became a reliable rotational big thanks to his athleticism, rim-running ability and efficiency around the basket.

Last season, Hayes appeared in 66 games and averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.8 blocks in 18.3 minutes per game while shooting an impressive 75.6% from the field.

His field-goal percentage ranked among the NBA's best, as most of his offense came on dunks, lobs and finishes around the rim.

Originally selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hayes entered the league as one of the NBA's most athletic young centers. He spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans before joining the Lakers in free agency in 2023.

His departure reflects the Lakers' commitment to upgrading the center position this offseason.

The Lakers have been linked to several starting-caliber centers over the past two years before finally landing Kessler, one of the league's top young rim protectors.

The 24-year-old is expected to anchor the Lakers' defense moving forward after averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks during the 2024-25 season. Although a shoulder injury limited him to just five games last year, the Lakers believe he can become the defensive centerpiece of a roster built around Dončić and Austin Reaves in the post-LeBron James era.

For Utah, Hayes gives the team an experienced high-flying replacement. While he doesn't provide the same defensive production, his athleticism, mobility and finishing ability should allow him to compete for meaningful minutes as the Jazz continue their rebuild.

Hayes leaves the Lakers after three productive seasons and now gets a fresh start in Utah, while L.A. turns its attention toward a new era with Kessler anchoring the paint.