Lakers' Center Dilemma: Why the Defense Behind Luka Doncic Is Still a Work in Progress
When Luka Dončić was running the show in Dallas, the Mavericks made one thing crystal clear: if you’re going to build around a generational offensive talent, you better give him the right pieces to cover his blind spots. That meant anchoring the defense with bigs who could not only finish plays on offense but also hold down the paint on the other end. In Los Angeles, that formula hasn’t quite carried over.
Since Dončić’s blockbuster move to the Lakers, the team has struggled to replicate the defensive security he once had with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Both of those centers knew their roles and played them to near perfection.
Gafford brought vertical rim protection and a relentless motor. Lively offered flashes of switchability-rare for a big man-and was always in the right spots defensively.
Together, they gave Dallas a reliable backline that allowed Dončić to focus on orchestrating the offense.
In L.A., it’s a different story.
The Ayton Conundrum
Deandre Ayton has the tools. He’s got the frame, the touch, and the athleticism.
But the motor? That’s where things fall apart.
While he occasionally shows flashes of being a capable rim protector, those moments are too few and far between. The consistency just isn’t there, and for a team that leans heavily on Dončić’s offensive load, they can’t afford to have a question mark protecting the rim.
It’s not hard to see why some around the league are reading between the lines of LeBron James’ recent comments about playing extended minutes. Whether or not they were aimed at Ayton, the implication is clear: the Lakers need more from their bigs-especially on the defensive end.
Jaxson Hayes: Energy Without Impact
Jaxson Hayes brings more consistent effort, and there’s a clear chemistry between him and Dončić. That counts for something.
But energy alone doesn’t make you a defensive anchor. Hayes adds some mobility and can switch in spurts, which helps in today’s space-heavy NBA.
Still, he's not the kind of presence in the paint that makes opposing guards think twice before driving.
The Lakers know this. That’s why head coach JJ Redick has started to dabble with small-ball lineups again-trying to mitigate the lack of rim protection by leaning into speed and spacing. It’s a band-aid solution, not a cure.
Why It Matters
In the Western Conference, where elite guards and wings are everywhere, not having a reliable defensive big is a problem that tends to get exposed-especially in the playoffs. The Lakers have the offensive firepower with Dončić and LeBron, but if they can’t get stops at the rim, it won’t matter. Teams will hunt mismatches, exploit pick-and-roll coverages, and force Ayton or Hayes into uncomfortable situations.
That’s what made Gafford and Lively so valuable in Dallas. They didn’t need the ball.
They just needed to be in the right place at the right time-on both ends. And they were.
Looking Ahead
Unless something changes, the Lakers are heading toward a familiar ending: a playoff exit that leaves fans wondering what could’ve been. The offense will likely keep them in games, but the defense-particularly at the center position-could be what ultimately sinks them.
There’s still time to adjust. Whether that’s through a trade, a rotation shift, or a leap in performance from Ayton or Hayes, the Lakers need to find answers fast. Because right now, the gap between what Dončić had in Dallas and what he has in L.A. is glaring-and it’s all about what’s happening behind him.