The Lakers are rolling. Winners of seven straight and sitting comfortably as the second seed in the Western Conference, they’ve found their rhythm early in the season. But even the hottest teams have areas that need tweaking - and for the Lakers, it’s about finding the right frontcourt combinations.
One pairing that hasn’t quite clicked? Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton.
Individually, both players are delivering on what the Lakers hoped they’d bring. Hachimura has been exactly the kind of floor-spacing forward you want next to Luka Dončić - knocking down shots, playing with confidence, and giving the offense some breathing room. Ayton, meanwhile, has been the anchor in the middle, providing the kind of interior presence the Lakers were banking on when they brought him in during the offseason.
But when they share the floor? The chemistry just isn’t there.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Hachimura and Ayton have logged 395 minutes together over 16 games - a solid sample size this early in the season. And the results are underwhelming. The duo has a net rating of -1.1, which doesn’t scream disaster, but certainly doesn’t reflect the kind of impact you want from two starters on a contending team.
Offensively, they’re fine - a 117.3 offensive rating is respectable. But the defensive end is where things fall apart.
Together, they’ve allowed 118.4 points per 100 possessions. That’s a number that puts them firmly in the “we can’t get stops” category.
A Simple Fix with Real Impact
The Lakers don’t need to overthink this. Head coach JJ Redick has other options that, statistically, are showing better results.
One of them? Pairing Hachimura with Jaxson Hayes.
That duo has produced a net rating of +2.4 - not elite, but a clear upgrade. The offense dips slightly to 114.3, but the defense tightens up significantly, holding opponents to 111.9. That’s the kind of balance that wins playoff games.
On the flip side, Ayton seems to fit better alongside Jake LaRavia. That combo boasts a stronger defensive rating at 115.0, but the offense takes a hit, falling to 112.7.
So it becomes a question of priorities. Do the Lakers want to lean into their offensive firepower, or do they need to shore up the defense?
The Bigger Picture: It’s About Balance
Right now, the Lakers own the fifth-best offense in the league - humming along behind the playmaking of Dončić, the shot creation of Austin Reaves, and the ever-reliable presence of LeBron James. Offense, in theory, isn’t the problem.
Defense, on the other hand, is where this team needs to level up. They’re sitting 17th in defensive rating - not terrible, but not where a title contender wants to be. And that’s why these rotation tweaks matter.
Redick and his staff don’t need to reinvent the wheel. They just need to adjust the spokes. Keeping Hachimura and Ayton apart more often could help balance the floor on both ends, especially against the better teams in the West.
This Lakers team has the talent, the depth, and the momentum. Now it’s about tightening the screws - and that starts with finding the right pairings.