The Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth straight game against the Utah Jazz but they suffered an injury to a crucial role player.
Deandre Ayton suffered a knee contusion and he has already been ruled out for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers with no timetable for his return.
This is a big loss for the Los Angeles Lakers because they lack a true backup center who can fill in.
Jaxson Hayes isn’t a good enough replacement to start, so the Lakers might have to revert to a small ball lineup.
The Los Angeles Lakers should play LeBron James as a small ball center
JJ Redick should consider having LeBron James as a small ball center and have Marcus Smart start during Ayton’s absence.
What Kobe Bryant said about LeBron James
In the Lakers’ 108-106 win against the Jazz, James was impactful when he bullied his way on offense. He dropped down low and helped get some big rebounds too when the Lakers went small late in the first half.
James made his first ever start at center back in December 2021 to beat the Houston Rockets, which snapped a five-game losing streak for the Lakers. In that game, James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Having a small ball lineup with James might be exactly what the Lakers need to sustain success with Ayton out.
LeBron James as a small ball center will maximize his on court value
In the Lakers’ win over the Jazz, James had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists in 34 minutes of action, but he did not shoot the ball well from the field or from three.
He saw success when he was used down low as a small ball center, not when he was trying to play in his normal role.
If the Lakers don’t want James chucking up shots and want to use his size on the low block and on the glass, the small ball center role could be ideal for him.
James is very adaptable, so the Lakers could experiment with him at center some more going forward.
