Los Angeles Lakers fans are growing frustrated with JJ Redick’s indecision regarding the use of Jaxson Hayes in their ongoing series against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite finishing the regular season with a better record, the Lakers now trail 2-1 in the series after losing on the road in Game 3. While basketball is a team sport where all stars share responsibility, Hayes’ underwhelming performances have drawn plenty of criticism. Things escalated when a report quoting Redick’s comments about Hayes went viral.
JJ Redick and the Lakers Still Believe in Jaxson Hayes
Of all the Lakers players, Hayes arguably entered the series under the most pressure. With the Timberwolves boasting players like Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, Hayes’ size and athleticism were expected to be critical in containing Minnesota’s frontcourt. While Gobert has struggled, Randle has excelled against the Lakers’ smaller lineup. His 21.7 points per game has been critical to the success of the Wolves so far in the series.
Hayes on the other hand hasn’t made much of an impact. In Game 1, he played eight minutes, posting three rebounds and one point. The Lakers lost that game at home. In Game 2, he logged nine minutes, finishing with two points and one rebound. And in Game 3, the results were nearly identical — two points and one rebound in nine minutes.
Given these struggles, many expected Redick to cut Hayes’ minutes entirely. But the Lakers’ head coach has remained publicly supportive. Senior NBA reporter Jovan Buha shared Redick’s stance:
“JJ Redick on if he’s considering benching starting center Jaxson Hayes: ‘We’ll look at everything but we still believe in Jaxson.'”
JJ Redick on if he’s considering benching starting center Jaxson Hayes: “We’ll look at everything but we still believe in Jaxson.”
Hayes has yet to crack double-digit minutes in the series.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha)
While Redick may feel confident, Lakers fans do not. Many were vocal about their desire for the front office to trade for a center before the deadline.
“He’s not good. We knew this already. Should’ve traded for a center,” one fan wrote.
He’s not good. We knew this already. Should’ve traded for a center.
— AR (@A_Riggo24)
“Bench him,” another fan simply said.
Bench him.
— ☄️🪐✨🌙💥 (@ADP0Yz)
The Lakers did attempt to trade for Mark Williams, but the deal reportedly fell through over long-term health concerns. As a result, they’ve stuck with Hayes and occasionally played small-ball lineups to limit his minutes.
“I wonder how this season would’ve looked if that Mark Williams trade didn’t get canceled,” a fan speculated.
I wonder how this season would’ve looked if that mark williams trade didn’t get canceled
— Yves saint valentine ⏱️ (@Valentine120161)
While it’s easy to dwell on what might have been, the Lakers now face a must-win situation heading into Game 4 in Minnesota. The big question: How much longer will Redick stick with Hayes — and can the young big man finally rise to the moment?
