{"id":106824,"date":"2024-11-13T17:12:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T22:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=106824"},"modified":"2024-11-13T17:12:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T22:12:37","slug":"lakers-center-depth-growing-thin-with-new-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/13\/lakers-center-depth-growing-thin-with-new-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Center Depth Growing Thin with New Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled with depth behind Anthony Davis this season. <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christian Wood<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, originally projected to be Davis\u2019s backup, is recovering from knee surgery with a growing timeline for a return. Now, LA has been dealt another blow they must manage in a young 2024-25 campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lakers Center Depth Growing Thin with New Injury<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Jaxson Hayes Out<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hayesja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jaxson Hayes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the 24-year-old high-flier who stepped in Wood\u2019s place, has now joined Wood on the sidelines following a left ankle sprain.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jaxson Hayes suffered a left ankle sprain in practice Tuesday and will miss the Grizzlies game tonight, per the Lakers. He\u2019ll be reevaluated in 1-2 weeks, per the team.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mcten\/status\/1856751889926467683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hayes was enjoying a productive start to his sixth year in the league. Across 10 games (one start), he averaged 6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 70% from the field and 79% from the free-throw line. While no one could fill Davis\u2019s shoes, Hayes did the best he could, serving as a reliable lob threat and rim protector both behind and, sometimes, next to AD.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Lakers&#39; big guys connect for the big-to-big lob!<\/p>\n<p>AD faces up and finds Jaxson Hayes for the slam \ud83d\udcaa<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcfa <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NBAPreseason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NBAPreseason<\/a> on NBA TV <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nhLAi5HPXg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/nhLAi5HPXg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA\/status\/1846379686336544911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He recently helped lift a struggling bench unit alongside <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/russeda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who often found him on rolls to the basket, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ClutchPoints\/status\/1767012197853540493\/video\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">building on their chemistry from last season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">UP TOP \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n<p>Jaxson Hayes goes full extension off the lob from DLo!<\/p>\n<p>LAL lead by 10 on TNT | <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KiaTipOff24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#KiaTipOff24<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2wOYnAh35E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/2wOYnAh35E<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA\/status\/1848940883959234733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hayes\u2019s absence leads to questions of who should replace him in the interim. For that, the Lakers could turn to several options.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Turn to the Two-Ways<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lakers have one more true 7-footer on the roster: two-way contract big <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kolokch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christian Koloko<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Koloko returned to the NBA after <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/42074108\/lakers-christian-koloko-medically-cleared-play-sources-say\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">missing the entirety of last season with a blood clot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The 24-year-old ex-Arizona center made his season debut on Nov. 6 against the Grizzlies, finishing with two points, two rebounds and one block in 13 minutes of action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lakers Christian Koloko Game Debut\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yyDzhS67JFk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Koloko also joined the G League\u2019s South Bay Lakers in their season opener against the Salt Lake City Stars. He played 19 minutes in that game, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/stats.gleague.nba.com\/game\/2052400013\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">finishing with<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Koloko is a defensive-minded big man who is agile enough to roam on the perimeter instead of camping out in the paint. That agility can be vital in pick-and-roll defense, where Koloko breaks up plays through deflections and close contests, as seen in this video from Pete Zayas of Laker Film Room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Christian Koloko Can Help the Lakers Pick &amp; Roll Defense\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4-CoWZyDkpU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zayas went on to praise Koloko as \u201cthe best defensive pick-and-roll player the Lakers have had at the five spot\u2014other than AD\u2014in several years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Koloko ready to play, head coach JJ Redick could slide him into the rotation immediately. He\u2019d provide a necessary boost up front and fill Hayes\u2019s role of a lob threat and shot blocker. Koloko could also prove himself and work toward an increased opportunity in Redick\u2019s rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Return of Small Ball?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given Redick\u2019s eye for innovation, there\u2019s also a possibility that he throws out a small-ball lineup with either <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hachiru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LeBron James<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the middle. Both players are familiar playing as the five in previous years as Lakers. They would also provide necessary floor-spacing next to Davis, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reaveau01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reddica01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cam Reddish<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Though unlikely, Redick going small could be just what the Lakers need to get by, as they continually try and beat teams with their shooting and physicality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Last Word<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lakers\u2019 injury situation is far from ideal, especially at this point in the season. It also underscores the need for them to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/13\/los-angeles-trade-targets-expanding-per-lakers-insider\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acquire help in the frontcourt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014a conversation that could be had all the way up to the trade deadline. For now, as they\u2019ve done in the first ten games, the Lakers will need to get through the next few games with the personnel they have, looking for players like Koloko to step up and star in their roles.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled with depth behind Anthony Davis this season. Christian Wood, originally projected to be Davis\u2019s backup, is recovering from knee surgery with a growing timeline for a return. Now, LA has been dealt another blow they must manage in a young 2024-25 campaign. Lakers Center Depth Growing Thin with New [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":106828,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,26,62],"tags":[240,4544,3145,1962,2279,38,1749],"class_list":["post-106824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-lakers","category-nba","tag-anthony-davis","tag-christian-koloko","tag-christian-wood","tag-jaxson-hayes","tag-jj-redick","tag-lebron-james","tag-rui-hachimura"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106824\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/106828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}