The Los Angeles Lakers spent the better part of the 2025-26 season struggling to create stability at the center position. Starter Deandre Ayton provided offensive value but struggled on defense, and Jaxson Hayes offered contributions that fluctuated in their quality.
With Ayton publicly committing to sacrificing for the team and accepting his role, and Hayes becoming a consistent source of two-way quality, however, the Lakers are evolving.
Hayes has been a breath of fresh air for the Lakers over the past month, taking his game to another level on both ends of the floor. He played just 17.4 minutes per game between his first 41 appearances, averaging 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 offensive rebounds, and 0.6 blocks.
Hayes is playing 19.5 minutes per game over his past 21 appearances, however, increasing his averages to 8.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 offensive rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.
Those may not seem like drastic increases on the surface, but to make jumps across the board in just 2.1 extra minutes is a fair reflection of what the film has revealed. Hayes has become more assertive on offense, more aggressive on defense, and has even averaged more than 20 minutes per game over the past 12 outings.
The past five games have revealed just how capable Hayes truly is of not only improving his output, but helping to stabilize the center position.
Center is suddenly a strength as Jaxson Hayes steps up for Lakers
Hayes began his recent stretch of success with six points, five rebounds, three offensive boards, and two blocks in a win over the Miami Heat. He followed that showing with eight points, seven rebounds, two offensive boards, and three blocks against the Orlando Magic.
Hayes then tallied 11 points, three rebounds, two offensive boards, one assist, four blocks, and two steals against All-Star big Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons.
That was enough for Lakers fans to see signs of progress that created an inevitable surge in optimism. What Hayes did next, however, blew everyone's minds. He dropped 21 points, 10 rebounds, two offensive rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and two steals in a rare start against the Indiana Pacers. It was far above his typical level of play or production.
The next time out, Hayes proved it wasn't a fluke with 10 points, eight rebounds, two offensive rebounds, one assist, and five blocks.
Lakers suddenly have depth at a position that was once uncertain
Though it's important to look past stats, the Lakers have struggled to generate any kind of consistent production from the second unit in 2025-26. To now have a source of it at a position that was once perceived as a weakness has completely redefined their outlook.
That's translated to the fact that the Lakers have a team-best net rating of +11.3 when Hayes is on the court since Feb. 1.
With Hayes stepping up as the backup and Ayton embracing the need for playing with more energy and intensity, Los Angeles has taken a clear step forward. It's won 14 of its past 16 games and can attribute at least some degree of its success to its newfound stability at center.
Only time will tell if Ayton and Hayes can translate their success to the playoffs, but if they can, the Lakers will be able to legitimately compete for a championship.