Lakers’ Jaxon Hayes could get Slovenian passport to play with Luka Doncic next summer
The Lakers and Mavericks played a neutral-site game on Wednesday, October 15, in Las Vegas. This is Los Angeles’ penultimate preseason game. In the end, they lost to Dallas 121-94.
The Lakers have several key players playing in this game. They are without Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reeves and Marcus Smart. With Deandre Ayton out, backup center Jackson Hayes started against the Mavericks. Hayes shared an interesting message while speaking with reporters after the loss. The 25-year-old said he is working with Luka Doncic to obtain a Slovenian passport. That would allow Hayes to become a naturalized citizen and play overseas with Doncic next summer.
How serious is Jackson Hayes about getting a Slovenian passport?
Lakers’ Jaxon Hayes said last night in Las Vegas that he is working on obtaining a Slovenian passport in order to join the Slovenian national team as a naturalized player alongside Luka Doncic.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 16, 2025
The 2025-26 season will be Jaxon Hayes’ seventh season in the NBA and third with the Lakers. He joins the team ahead of the 2023-24 season. In his first two years in Los Angeles, Hayes appeared in 126 games and started 40 times. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. In early February, Hayes became a full-time starter under head coach JJ Redick. In the 2025-26 season, Hayes will serve as a substitute.
Los Angeles signed Deandre Ayton this offseason. The remainder of his contract was bought out by the Trail Blazers. During the Lakers’ preseason game on Wednesday, Jackson Hayes started while Deandre Ayton and the rest of the starters sat. Hayes played 25 minutes for Los Angeles and scored 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
Los Angeles Lakers center Jackson Hayes could play for Slovenia next summer alongside Luka Doncic 😮
Read more: pic.twitter.com/SUY8GpWzAR
— Basket News (@BasketNews_com) October 16, 2025
After the game, Jackson Hayes was interviewed by reporters and shared an interesting anecdote. He said Luka Doncic is helping him obtain a Slovenian passport. This would make Jackson Hayes a naturalized citizen of Slovenia. Additionally, he will be able to play for the Slovenian national team in the summer of 2026, alongside Luka Doncic.
Previously, Slovenia had considered naturalizing Daniel Gafford. He was Luka Doncic’s teammate in Dallas. Daniel Gafford joined the Slovenian national team alongside Luka without garnering any attention. That’s why they turned their attention to Jaxon Hayes. If the big man successfully obtains a Slovenian passport, he will be able to participate in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers with the team. This would be a great addition to the Slovenian roster.
