It is no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers have an undersized roster these days. Their only rotational player who is taller than 6-foot-9 is starting center Jaxson Hayes, and his playing time has gotten slashed so far in their first-round playoff series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He has been a total non-factor in this series, and the fact that they have no one else who can truly man the 5 spot has hurt them in multiple areas. In Game 3 on Friday, the Timberwolves again asserted their will, outscoring L.A. 56-26 in the paint, and when L.A. turned the ball over, as it did 19 times, it was helpless to prevent them from getting easy baskets.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick hinted afterward that he may move Hayes to the bench.
While Hayes isn’t good enough to be a starting center on a good or great team, his size and length does tend to help the Lakers. But the entire situation seems to illustrate the lack of options Los Angeles has as far as its roster, especially in the frontcourt.