It has been over a year since the Luka Doncic trade. Despite that, what was true after the new Los Angeles Lakers superstar debuted with the team is still the case today — Jaxson Hayes is the most reliable frontcourt option on the roster. Nothing has changed in that department.
Rob Pelinka made his attempts to not have that be the reality. First, it was an immediate push to acquire Mark Williams after landing Doncic. Everyone knows what happened there and the brutal state it left the Lakers in during the aftermath that has followed.
After failing to make an in-season upgrade, the front office tried again during the offseason. Deandre Ayton answered the bat signal crying out for a starting big man in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the former first overall pick has not looked the part of a superhero. Ayton has not even sufficed as a proper sidekick.
Meanwhile, Hayes has improved and exceeded expectations following a rough playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025. The chemistry with Doncic has grown. The energy and effort has been consistent. When asked to do more, the Lakers backup center has delivered.
Jaxson Hayes is still the go-to center option for the Lakers this season
Ayton does start at center for the Lakers. Make no mistake about it, that is a measure to prevent further disaster at this point. The motor and effort levels of the big man have already been questionable throughout the season. 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.
The Lakers will likely continue to ensure Ayton's spot in the starters for this reason. Even so, the increase in closing games with Hayes or without a center altogether has not been a coincidence.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, Ayton has proven the good will that was earned in his honeymoon phase with the team has quickly disappeared due to the emergence of old habits since. Los Angeles should be quietly excited to sever ties with their center in the offseason.
Until then, the Lakers better hope the injury that forced Hayes to leave Sunday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics is not serious. It was his right ankle that forced the backup big to leave after only five minutes played.
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.