The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025-26 season is already off to a rocky start, with their backup center situation thrown into chaos just days before the regular season opener on Tuesday. Jaxson Hayes, the frontrunner to secure the backup role behind newly signed starting center Deandre Ayton, suffered a right wrist contusion during the Lakers’ season finale loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday. While ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports that imaging on Hayes’ wrist showed no structural damage, the timing of this injury could not be worse for a team banking on depth to complement their new superstar, Luka Doncic.
Hayes, a 7-footer known for his athleticism and chemistry as a lob partner for Doncic, had been the leading candidate to back up Ayton, outpacing veteran Maxi Kleber, two-way signee Christian Koloko, and small-ball options like Rui Hachimura and Adou Thiero. However, his early exit in the second half of Friday’s game has raised serious concerns about his availability for opening night. With only a few days to recover, the Lakers may need to pivot quickly to avoid a depth crisis at the center position.
Head coach JJ Redick, who had already cooled on Hayes during last season’s playoffs, now faces a potential nightmare scenario. If Hayes is sidelined, 33-year-old Maxi Kleber, a reliable but aging big man, could see an immediate minutes boost. Christian Koloko, a young prospect on a two-way contract, might also be thrust into a more prominent role sooner than anticipated. While both players bring unique skills—Kleber’s veteran savvy and Koloko’s raw potential—neither has the same dynamic rim-running ability that made Hayes a natural fit alongside Doncic.
The Lakers’ frontcourt depth was already a question mark heading into the season, with Redick experimenting with small-ball lineups featuring Hachimura or Thiero. However, relying on smaller players at center could expose defensive vulnerabilities, especially against teams with dominant big men. The absence of Hayes, even temporarily, amplifies these concerns and puts pressure on Ayton to anchor the paint for extended minutes.
For Lakers fans, this injury is a sobering reminder of the fragility of their roster as they aim to compete in a loaded Western Conference. While the negative imaging on Hayes’ wrist offers some hope that he could return soon, the tight timeline before Tuesday’s opener leaves little room for optimism. The team will need to rally quickly, leaning on their depth and adaptability to weather this early storm.
This story will continue to develop as more updates on Hayes’ status become available. For now, the Lakers are bracing for a worst-case scenario that could test their resilience right out of the gate.