LA Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes said the prize money motivates him in the NBA Cup. Each player on the winning team will receive a little over $500,000 in prize money.Hayes was asked about the NBA Cup ahead of their clash with the LA Clippers on Tuesday."Free money," Hayes said. "If we win, we get $500K. That’s all I know. That’s all that matters. ... I could care less about Vegas, I hate Vegas but it is fair. I just want the money."Coming into Tuesday's game, the Lakers and the Clippers have identical 2-0 NBA Cup records. The Lakers will clinch the West Group B with a win due to them taking the head-to-head tiebreaker. A win also qualifies the Lakers for the knockout quarterfinal round, which already nets each player a reward.According to Front Office Sports' Colin Salao, each player in the championship team will receive $530,933, which is a 3% increase from last year's prize. The runner-up will receive $212,373, while semifinalists and quarterfinalists receive $106,187 and $53,093, respectively.Hayes is expected to be inserted into the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Clippers, as Deandre Ayton has been ruled out with a right knee contusion. Backup center Maxi Kleber will also receive increased minutes.Jaxson Hayes comments on the Lakers' impressive record in clutch situations: "We all know we're on the same page"Coming into Tuesday, the LA Lakers are No. 3 in the Western Conference with a 12-4 record. They won their fourth straight game on Sunday, beating the Utah Jazz 108-106. The win also moves LA to 6-0 in games decided by single digits.In the same media availability ahead of their game on Tuesday, Jaxson Hayes was asked about the team's clutch play."We're a very great team," Hayes said. "We are all very close and connected, too. So, I just feel like when we get in those close situations, we're all connected and we all know we're on the same page. Just try to keep growing, I think we got a lot more to do, a lot more to get better at. But, I think it's good start."Through 13 games this season, Hayes is averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 72.5% shooting. The 7-foot big man became the team's starting center last season following the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.