The Los Angeles Lakers are not going to make any deep playoff run with Jaxson Hayes starting at center, claims one anonymous NBA executive.

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Crypto.com Aren

The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like potential title contenders over the last month, going 14-4 in their last 18 games while possessing the league's best defensive rating over that stretch.

Luka Doncic officially made his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, giving NBA fans the first look at the new duo of Doncic and LeBron James. Doncic was able to record 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz, his first game back since suffering a calf injury on Christmas Day.

As the Lakers adjust to their revamped offense, Hayes’ early success is a sign of how dangerous this team can become.

So far this season, Vincent is averaging 5.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Hayes is averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and one assist per game. Finney-Smith is averaging 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

The Los Angeles Lakers get a frontcourt boost just in time for what could be a revenge game from Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams.

After Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams failed his physical and the Los Angeles Lakers opted to rescind his trade, L.A. pivoted, signing 7-footer Alex Len

Doncic suffered a left calf strain on Christmas day that kept him out more than six weeks and cost him a spot on the 2025 NBA All-Star Game roster. Doncic has a history of calf injuries, which Dallas feared could one day lead to a more devastating ACL injury.

Before Luka Doncic dropped 32 points in the Lakers’ win over the Nuggets on Saturday, his return to Los Angeles after a six-week calf injury had been underwhelming.

The absence of all three players was a factor in the Lakers losing 131-119 to Utah on Wednesday. They hold a 32-20 record and are in fifth place in the Western Conference, and they're just half a game behind the fourth-place Houston Rockets and three games behind the second-place Memphis Grizzlies.

The Los Angeles Lakers' trade for Mark Williams fell through due to health concerns, leading to signing veteran Alex Len and relying on Jaxson Hayes.