The Los Angeles Lakers should start Jaxson Hayes over Deandre Ayton, and the backup big man made his latest statement in Thursday’s 124-104 win over the Mavericks. Ayton missed his second straight game with a knee injury. It opened the door for Hayes to start and play significant minutes. He responded with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in 34 minutes of action. The Lakers could have gone small, but they were dominating with Hayes.
The seven-footer is not a rim protector, but he’s willing to play a role. Ayton wants touches, and his effort fluctuates significantly. The Lakers never know what they are going to get for their current starter. Hayes will compete hard, finish inside, and do whatever the team asks.
Luka Doncic wants a center on the floor to be his pick-and-roll partner. He has excellent chemistry with Hayes. The Lakers should make a shift in the starting five, but they can’t. Ayton isn’t going to buy into playing a bench role, even if it makes Los Angeles more successful.
Jaxson Hayes deserves to start, but the Lakers can’t make the move
The Lakers’ stars want to compete for championships, but they aren’t a serious threat right now. LA doesn’t have the rim protector or perimeter defense to top the elite teams in a playoff series. Hayes isn’t solving those issues, but he gives the franchise a better shot to win than relying on Ayton.
Ayton puts up numbers, but he keeps being benched down the stretch for several reasons. The Lakers never know what they are going to get. When Ayton is aggressive and locked in, he is a difference-maker. Sadly, there are too many games where his effort is low, and LA gets crushed in his minutes.
Hayes will finish around the rim and compete hard. He should open games and play more minutes than Ayton. Neither is the perfect starting center, but Hayes gives the Lakers the best chance to win. No player had a higher plus-minus than Jaxson Hayes in the win over the Mavericks to close the first half of the season.
Luka will be back when LA returns from the All-Star break. Jaxson Hayes is even more productive when number 77 is in the lineup. Head coach JJ Redick clearly doesn’t trust Ayton in the most important moments. That alone should tell fans who should start.
The Los Angeles Lakers will go small plenty down the stretch. They don’t want to lose Ayton completely, which will keep him in the starting five. Fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the playing time shift in Hayes’ direction.
Jaxson Hayes is playing better than Ayton and making a greater impact on winning. That is all the matters as the Lakers attempt to avoid the Play-In Tournament and make a deep playoff run. Every game matters, so the franchise should make this shift. It may impact Ayton’s production, but what is best for the entire team should be done. Sadly, the Lakers can’t do it.