The Los Angeles Lakers are once again flirting with a familiar formula - and it’s not one that involves a traditional center. Despite offseason moves that suggested a shift toward size and structure, head coach JJ Redick has quietly pivoted back to the small-ball lineups that defined much of last season’s identity. And while it may not be a long-term fix, it’s starting to look like more than just a temporary patch.
Back to the Future: Small Ball Returns
At the start of the season, Redick made it clear he wanted to get players back into their natural roles. The roster had been a bit of a jigsaw puzzle in year one of the Luka Doncic era, and the front office tried to address that by bringing in Deandre Ayton and re-signing Jaxson Hayes. On paper, the Lakers had more traditional center options than they did a year ago.
But over the last 10 games, Redick has leaned heavily into lineups without a true center - and the results have been quietly promising.
This isn’t uncharted territory. The Lakers’ most effective lineup last season was a small-ball unit featuring Doncic, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Austin Reaves.
That group posted a net rating of 18.6 - the highest among any Lakers lineup that logged at least 100 minutes together. It worked because of its versatility, spacing, and the ability to switch defensively across positions.
Of course, it also got exposed in the playoffs, particularly against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who punished the Lakers’ lack of size in the paint. That series served as a reminder that, come postseason, you need at least one big who can protect the rim and hold his own physically.
Center Rotation: Still a Question Mark
Despite the addition of Ayton, the Lakers haven’t found the consistency they were hoping for at the five. Hayes, who was expected to be more of a depth piece, continues to be the most reliable option - not necessarily because he’s dominant, but because he’s steady. Ayton’s presence hasn’t translated into the kind of impact Redick likely envisioned, and the numbers back that up.
In the last 10 games, the lineup featuring Doncic, James, Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia has been the most used - but also the least effective. That group has a net rating of -20.9, a staggering number for a unit that’s seen significant floor time.
Flip the script, and the Lakers’ best-performing lineups during that same stretch tell a different story. Two of the top three lineups by net rating (minimum 10 minutes played) don’t feature a traditional center at all. Instead, they rely on James and Hachimura to anchor the frontcourt, with Maxi Kleber occasionally sliding in as a stretch big - though he’s more of a four than a true five.
Those small-ball units have been thriving. One posted a net rating of 46.7, another 38.3 - both significantly outperforming the 25.0 net rating of the best lineup that includes Ayton.
The Postseason Puzzle
This brings us back to the big-picture question: Can the Lakers ride small-ball lineups deep into the playoffs?
History says it depends on the matchup. Against teams like Minnesota, who can dominate the interior, you need size.
Even if Ayton and Hayes aren’t elite rim protectors, their sheer presence can serve as a deterrent. There’s still value in having a big body to absorb contact, contest shots, and rebound.
But Redick seems to be leaning into the idea that the Lakers’ best basketball might come when they embrace speed, spacing, and switchability - even if it means sacrificing size. It’s a gamble, but one that’s starting to pay off in the short term.
The challenge will be finding the right balance. The Lakers don’t need to pick one identity and stick with it 100% of the time. What they need is optionality - the ability to go big or small depending on the opponent, the flow of the game, or the stakes of the moment.
Right now, small ball is working. Whether it’s a short-term solution or the foundation of a deeper playoff run remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: JJ Redick isn’t afraid to go back to what worked before - even if it means bucking conventional wisdom and trusting LeBron and company to hold it down in the paint.