The Los Angeles Lakers have issues across the board, and there isn’t a simple fix to make them go away.
But with the strong foundation of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, Deandre Ayton has been the name that hasn’t lived up to the hype in his first season for the Lakers.
After a decent start to the year, Ayton hasn’t been as advertised, and at the same time his drop in performance is becoming clear, the play of Jaxson Hayes has risen. While the latest Hayes injury update signals he might miss the team’s next game, Los Angeles was recently urged to have him take Ayton’s spot as the starting center for the rest of the season.
Writing for LakeShowLife, Svyatoslav Rovenchuk urged the Lakers to make what has only become a more obvious decision as this campaign has gone on, and have Hayes replace Ayton in the starting lineup.
Lakers Urged To Replace Deandre Ayton With Jaxson Hayes
Neither Ayton nor Hayes is likely the rim-protector and All-Star caliber big man the Lakers would like to have next to Doncic and Reaves for the future, but after the failed Mark Williams trade last season and limited trade deadline moves this season, the two are what they have to work with for the rest of the year.
Rovenchuk wrote that Hayes is the more reliable option between the two, and with the major inconsistencies for Ayton, despite him starting at center all year, swapping out one of the other is the right move.
“Jaxson Hayes is the most reliable frontcourt option on the roster. Nothing has changed in that department,” he wrote. “Unfortunately for the Lakers, the former first overall pick (Ayton) has not looked the part of a superhero. Ayton has not even sufficed as a proper sidekick.”
By the numbers, Ayton leads Hayes in most categories, averaging 13 points and 8.4 rebounds on 66.6% shooting compared to 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds on 77% shooting. However, as it relates to each’s fit next to franchise star Doncic, Hayes’s ability as a pick-and-roll and lob threat puts him over the top, not needing the ball in his hands to be impactful on offense.
“The chemistry with Doncic has grown. The energy and effort has been consistent. When asked to do more, the Lakers’ backup center has delivered,” Rovenchuck added, before then discussing the internal impact of benching Ayton for Hayes. “Imagine how much worse things could be for Los Angeles if they openly demoted him to the bench. That is a scenario that could warrant flat-out visible quitting.”
For now, Ayton remains the starter while Hayes backs him up. Things could change, but for now, head coach JJ Redick hasn’t signaled that the former is on the hot seat as it relates to his starting status.
Jaxson Hayes Injury Update
In what might be another reason for Ayton staying the starter for the time being was the latest injury suffered by Hayes in the Lakers’ most recent game against the Boston Celtics.
He went down with an ankle injury after playing just five minutes on Sunday, and according to Redick, he is listed as day-to-day going forward.
“JJ Redick says Jaxson Hayes received imaging on his right ankle Monday, which showed a ‘little bruise,’” team insider Dave McMenamin wrote in a post on X. “Redick said Hayes is day-to-day going forward and assumed the backup center will be listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game vs. ORL.”
Hayes has since been downgraded to doubtful for Los Angeles’ upcoming game against the Magic. He is the only player listed on the Lakers’ injury report for Tuesday night.
“The Lakers better hope the injury that forced Hayes to leave Sunday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics is not serious,” Rovenchuck wrote on Hayes’ injury. “Before the early exit against Boston, Hayes had seen an uptick in minutes during the 10 games leading up to the contest. Assuming the Lakers’ high-flying center is back sooner than later, without a serious injury limiting him, seeing that trend continue should not surprise anyone.”
For now, the starting spot is Ayton’s, and he’ll have a chance to solidify his role if Hayes is sidelined for a stretch. But overall, the Lakers’ center options aren’t as strong compared to other title-hopeful teams around the league, meaning both will likely have to compete for a spot on the roster next season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Urged To Make Drastic Jaxson Hayes Decision Amid New Injury Update appeared first on Heavy Sports.