By Justin GrassoShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe NBA Cup has been around for quite some time now, and many players are still learning about it and learning to embrace it. Some players and teams treat it like raising a banner for the in-season tournament could be equivalent to winning an NBA Championship. Others keep the focus on that latter scenario, and nothing else matters.
For Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes, he knows one thing about the NBA Cup: More money.
“Free money,” Hayes said to a laughing group of reporters. “If we win we get 500K. That’s all I know. That’s all that matters.”
When reminded that there is a trip to Las Vegas involved, Hayes didn’t hesitate to talk down any excitement for that.
“I couldn’t care less about Vegas—I hate Vegas, to be fair. I just want the money,” Hayes concluded.
Loading twitter content...
In order to get players more invested in the fairly new tournament, the NBA added a financial incentive, which Hayes has clearly embraced. Without a long-term deal in place with the Lakers, some extra cash won’t hurt for the veteran big man.
This season, Hayes is making $3.4 million in guaranteed money. Over the past two seasons with the Lakers, Hayes collected $4.6 million.
Going into Tuesday’s action, the Lakers are set to play the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams are unbeaten when it comes to NBA Cup play. When it comes to point differential, the Lakers lead West Group B at plus-19. The Clippers are at plus-eight.
...All the Lakers have to do to win the group is beat the Clippers. If the Clippers manage to get the victory, they could win the group with a Memphis Grizzlies loss. Tuesday night will be the first meeting between the Lakers and the Clippers. Last season, the Lakers won three out of four games during the regular season. This year, the Clippers are 5-12, winning just two of their last 10 games.
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NBASteph Curry’s Michael Jordan Tribute Sparks Buzz Ahead of Jazz Game3 min read
NBANBA Fans Sound Off on Predicted Lauri Markkanen Trade Cost4 min read
NBAHow Much Did Lakers’ Bronny James Score in G League Rematch vs Santa Cruz?2 min read
NBALakers Sign Former College Basketball Legend After Deandre Ayton Injury2 min read
NBAWarriors Hit With Unfortunate Draymond Green News3 min read
SportsLakers Cut Ties With Longtime Center3 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
WorldTrump Says Talks With Putin, Zelensky Await Final Peace Deal: Live Updates3 min read
NewsTrump May Defeat Maduro Without Battle and Lose War in Venezuela14 min read
WorldTrump Envoy Advised Russia on Putin Call, Ukraine Deal: Report5 min read
NewsDonald Trump Comments on His Weight During Turkey Pardon5 min read
Live BlogThanksgiving Travel: Map Shows States Where Travel To Be Impacted By Winter Storms2 min read
PoliticsWhite House Reacts to Report of Trump Considering Kash Patel’s Ousting4 min readTrending
National Weather ServiceWinter Storm Alert Issued as 12 Inches of Snow Set To Hit3 min read
MoneyNew ‘Cash Law’ Could Change Grocery Store Rules3 min read
SnowfallWinter Storm Warning Issued As 25 Inches of Snow To Strike5 min read
Higher EducationFull List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin8 min read
LawsuitCampbell’s Soup VP Mocks ‘Poor People’ Who Buy Its Food in Secret Recording6 min readOpinion
OpinionGOP Rep.: The U.S. Must Close Critical AI Chip Export Loophole Exploited by China | Opinion5 min read
OpinionAgriculture Secretary: Giving Thanks to the American Farmer This Thanksgiving | Opinion4 min read
OpinionFormer White House Middle East Envoy: What We Keep Getting Wrong About the UAE and Sudan | Opinion5 min read
OpinionGovernment-Mandated Affordability—Music to Consumer Ears | Opinion6 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: Ukraine Peace Plan Edition2 min read
