{"id":95030,"date":"2025-08-30T09:07:44","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T09:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=95030"},"modified":"2025-08-30T09:07:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T09:07:44","slug":"breaking-lakers-reconsider-their-lineup-as-deandre-ayton-makes-an-immediate-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=95030","title":{"rendered":"Breaking: Lakers reconsider their lineup as Deandre Ayton makes an immediate impact"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"relative z-10\">\n<div class=\"article-intro mb-4 text-darkGrey font-group-large md:font-group-normal lg:font-group-large !mb-2.5 md:mb-5\">Ayton or small ball?<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"mb-0 md:mb-9 relative md:mx-10 md:mb-9\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden bg-lightGrey\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 1x,  \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 2x, \n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 1x, \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 2x, \n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 1x, \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_2160,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 2x,\n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_2160,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F20%2F01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full\" title=\"Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5637,h_3170\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/GettyImages\/mmsport\/20\/01k3pby2je3w96094tfw.jpg\" alt=\"Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton\" width=\"5637\" height=\"3170\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex items-center gap-4 ml-1 pb-2 mt-4 md:m-3 text-darkGrey font-group-tiny\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center gap-4 ml-1 pb-2 mt-4 md:m-3 text-darkGrey font-group-tiny\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton | Alika Jenner\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"flex flex-wrap justify-center lg:justify-normal\">\n<div class=\"flex lg:mr-4 lg:w-[calc(70%-3em)] max-w-full\"><main class=\"min-w-0 flex-1 odesa-article-main\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"viewablity-block\">\n<div class=\"article-content [&amp;_p]:leading-[30px] [&amp;_p]:md:leading-[28px] [&amp;_li]:leading-[30px] [&amp;_li]:md:leading-[28px]\">\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">The Los Angeles Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to be their starting center, but head coach JJ Redick has to balance his playing time versus going small.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">The five-man group of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith had an 18.6 net rating in 108 regular-season minutes last season. It was significantly higher than any of the seven Lakers groups that played 50-plus minutes. Luka\u00a0wants a lob threat\u00a0in the middle, but the Lakers had success going playing five-out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">Redick has a rotation dilemma on his hands. Jaxson Hayes may not crack the nightly mix, so the Lakers will have minutes of playing small in nearly every game. How often does Redick lean into five-out looks over keeping Ayton in the middle? That is a decision that may not be made until opening night.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">Ayton has consistently played around 30 minutes per game in his seven-year NBA career. If the Lakers want more center play, they must rely on him more. The addition has Redick contemplating how to maximize this roster and who replaces Finney-Smith when LA downsizes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">Deandre Ayton has the Lakers rethinking their rotation<\/h2>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">Ayton appears locked into the starting five next to Luka, LeBron, and Reaves. The fifth spot is a competition between Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura. The Lakers need perimeter defense in their opening group, but Smart\u2019s minutes should be monitored closely. Redick and his staff must manage that situation.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">The easiest way to keep the sixth man happy is to guarantee him more minutes by going small in the second unit. Hachimura could come off the bench, but get playing time as the five. If that lineup is cooking, expect Redick to ride the hot hand and extend Rui\u2019s minutes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">Ayton will be a must for 35 minutes in certain matchups. The Lakers do not want Hachimura or James guarding Alperen Sengun or Joel Embiid. The seven-footer will get more run on those nights, but what about when the opposition leans into small ball? Ayton doesn\u2019t always dominate mismatches, which could open the door for LA to downsize.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">Coach Redick has a ton to figure out. He is implementing three new role players in his first offseason scheme around a Luka Doncic-led attack. It could change the way the Lakers play and will certainly alter the amount of small-ball lineups used. Fans should be watching closely during training camp to see if they can spot the differences with Ayton on their roster.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">This is a make-or-break season for the 27-year-old big man. Ayton was bought out by the Blazers and is fighting for another gigantic contract in the 2026 offseason. He must\u00a0prove he can impact winning\u00a0and is willing to play a role. The answers to those questions will also play a factor in his minutes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a crucial training camp. They want to be a serious title contender with Luka Doncic and LeBron James leading their roster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\">It is why they signed Deandre Ayton, but the big man has the coaching staff reimagining the entire rotation. Expect the Lakers to go small and play Ayton. It is on coach Redick to find the right mix, which is certainly easier said than done.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ayton or small ball? Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton | Alika Jenner\/GettyImages The Los Angeles Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to be their starting center, but head coach&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":95034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Breaking: Lakers reconsider their lineup as Deandre Ayton makes an immediate impact - News 365<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=95030\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Breaking: Lakers reconsider their lineup as Deandre Ayton makes an immediate impact - News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ayton or small ball? 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