The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have the biggest offseason compared to some of the other teams around the league, but it looks like their free agent signings are really panning out.
Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart have been integral to the Lakers’ 2025-26 season thus far, with Ayton manning down the starting center role while Smart is making case to stay in the rotation permanently. Jake LaRavia started the year off the bench but is also making a strong argument to be inserted into the starting lineup, while Jaxson Hayes has been perfect off the bench backing up Ayton.
Head coach JJ Redick has been forced into certain lineups due to injuries, but LaRavia and Hayes in particular have stuck out the past couple of weeks. Redick made sure to highlight the two role players and credited them for stepping up, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“I think two guys that have now stacked like multiple games in a row for us in Jake and Jaxson… And that’s exciting because at some point you assume you’re gonna be at full health and I think we’re gonna eventually be a great basketball team and to do that you need nine or 10 guys that are playing high-level basketball. And both those guys really…Jake since the first Phoenix game, Jaxson as of late. He’s now stacked three, four, five games in a row where he’s just played great on both ends and that’s been really big for us.”
LaRavia has been a steady, do-it-all utility player for the Lakers as he is willing to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor while knocking down shots. His 3-point shooting has started to climb back up after a rough shooting stretch, helping keep L.A.’s offense afloat.
Hayes has been better than expected this season, offering more in terms of shot blocking and defense compared to last year. However, his bread and butter remains as a lob threat for the three stars and he has delivered with several highlight-reel dunks this year.
L.A.’s depth has looked shaky at times, but LaRavia and Hayes’ improved play as of late should give Redick some confidence that the team is on its way up.
JJ Redick admits he wasn’t at his best during Lakers’ recent rough stretch
Redick and the Lakers suffered a rough stretch to close 2025, losing several games in embarrassing fashion. While the players had a large part in the team’s overall struggles, Redick admitted he also wasn’t at his best.
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