The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the shorthanded Phoenix Suns 113-110 on Thursday night, where it became abundantly clear that head coach JJ Redick must start Jaxson Hayes over Deandre Ayton moving forward. Ayton was coming off one of his best games of the season, but was a non-factor against his former team. The big man was doing all the things that drive the Lakers crazy as Hayes provided energy and rebounding in his first game back from an ankle injury.
Ayton didn’t take his first shot until the third quarter, but the bigger issues came with his effort. He was often the last player to cross halfcourt and was offering no resistance in the paint. This was on the same day ESPN dropped an explosive article about the big man. He was anything but DominAyton in Phoenix.
Hayes is a flawed player, but he gives the Lakers a better chance to win. Los Angeles can’t worry about feelings as they chase a playoff berth. Every victory matters, and coach Redick has to make a difficult decision to maximize his team’s chances.
JJ Redick has to replace Deandre Ayton in the starting lineup with Jaxson Hayes
Thursday’s game in Phoenix has to be the final straw. The Lakers lost Ayton’s 23 minutes by 24 points with the big man producing two points, four rebounds, and one steal. His most notable play was a boneheaded foul in the fourth quarter that gave the Suns a four-point play. He simply can’t be a starter on a team that hopes to make a playoff run.
The Lakers likely lose Ayton completely if they make this move. He has irrational confidence and still thinks he is a star, even if it is far from the truth.
Hayes is not a game-changer, but he provides steady production. He is happy being Luka Doncic’s pick-and-roll partner. Hayes will roll hard to the rim and do the dirty work the Lakers desperately need.
On Thursday night, Hayes had six points, eight rebounds, and one block in 21 minutes of action against the Suns. The Lakers outscored Phoenix by 16 with him on the floor. The Suns had a massive edge in 3-point shooting in a must-win game. Still, things swung in LA’s direction with Hayes on the floor.
The Lakers don’t need another star. They have Luka, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. Ayton made it clear he doesn’t want to be Clint Capela, but that is what Los Angeles has to have.
Hayes plays hard, sets screens, rebounds, and provides energy. He is happy playing whatever role head coach JJ Redick needs. The same can’t be said for Ayton, which is why the move must happen immediately.
The Lakers closed the game small and made another comeback. It wasn't enough, but nothing was as disastrous as Ayton's minutes. LA would have been better off starting Hayes and going small in the second unit. Sadly, the contest in Phoenix was far from the first time that happened.
The Los Angeles Lakers are fighting to make the playoffs and have a slim margin for error. They don’t want to be in the Play-In Tournament, but have lost three straight games. Head coach JJ Redick has to make the difficult call of replacing Deandre Ayton in the starting five with Jaxson Hayes. It has to be about winning, and this gives LA the best shot. They just can’t have Ayton’s inconsistent energy and effort weighing them down anymore.