Deandre Ayton’s Fourth-Quarter Benching Was Fully Justified — and It Says a Lot About the Lakers’ Current Reality
The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to bench Deandre Ayton in the fourth quarter of their win over the Memphis Grizzlies raised eyebrows across the NBA world. But when head coach JJ Redick addressed the media after the game, his explanation was as blunt as it was honest.
“He was playing better.”
That simple statement, referring to Jaxson Hayes, spoke volumes. And whether fans like it or not, Redick wasn’t wrong.
Ayton’s benching wasn’t controversial. It wasn’t experimental. It was earned.
Ayton Was Invisible When the Lakers Needed Him Most
For a player expected to anchor the paint and stabilize the Lakers during a difficult stretch, Ayton delivered one of his most forgettable performances of the season.
In 25 minutes, Ayton finished with:
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4 points
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6 rebounds
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1 steal
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4 field-goal attempts
For a starting center with All-Star expectations and a significant role in the Lakers’ long-term plans, those numbers are alarming — especially in a competitive game that required physicality, energy, and presence in the paint.
More troubling than the box score was Ayton’s lack of engagement. He was slow to contest shots, failed to assert himself offensively, and allowed missed opportunities to affect the rest of his game. When the shots weren’t coming, his effort disappeared.
That cannot happen — not on a team trying to contend.
JJ Redick Made the Right Call
Redick’s decision to close the game with Jaxson Hayes may have seemed shocking on paper, but on the court, it was obvious.
Hayes brought:
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Energy
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Rim protection
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Defensive activity
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Willingness to play within the system
In 23 minutes, Hayes recorded:
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12 points
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2 rebounds
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2 steals
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1 block
While those numbers aren’t extraordinary, the impact was undeniable. Hayes played 11 minutes in the fourth quarter, with Ayton checking in for just a brief one-minute rest. During that stretch:
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The Lakers won the fourth quarter by seven
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Hayes’ minutes were +8
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Ayton’s total floor time finished as a net negative
The Lakers needed momentum, toughness, and engagement — and Hayes delivered all three. Ayton did not.
This Is Becoming a Disturbing Pattern for Ayton
This benching didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s part of a troubling trend.
Over the last 10 games, the Lakers have won Ayton’s minutes just twice. That’s a devastating statistic for a player expected to be a foundational piece. During this stretch, Los Angeles has struggled defensively, lost physical battles inside, and failed to control the glass — all areas where Ayton should excel.
Earlier in the season, when Ayton was locked in, the Lakers looked like a different team. They started the year 15–4, with Ayton engaged, active, and productive. Since his play slipped, the team’s performance has followed suit.
The correlation is impossible to ignore.
The Lakers Don’t Have the Luxury of Waiting
One of the most concerning aspects of Ayton’s struggles is that the Lakers don’t have another true starting-caliber center waiting in the wings. Hayes is a career backup with clear limitations. He brings energy, but he’s not someone you want anchoring a playoff frontcourt for extended stretches.
That puts immense pressure on Ayton — pressure he hasn’t handled well.
The Lakers need him to be consistent. Not dominant every night, but present. Engaged. Reliable. Without that, Los Angeles has no realistic path to serious contention in a stacked Western Conference.
Rumors Are Growing — and Fans Aren’t Surprised
Around the league, whispers are growing louder that the Lakers could explore the center market this offseason — or even before the February 5 trade deadline. Once upon a time, such rumors might have seemed premature.
Now? Fans are expecting them.
Ayton’s talent has never been the question. His consistency, motor, and nightly effort have followed him throughout his career — from Phoenix to Portland to Los Angeles. Other organizations have faced the same frustrations the Lakers are dealing with now.
Friday night was just the latest example.
Redick’s Message Was Clear — and Necessary
JJ Redick deserves credit for how he handled the situation.
There was no public shaming.
No passive-aggressive praise.
No attempt to sugarcoat reality.
“He was playing better.”
That’s accountability. Redick coached to win — and his decision likely saved the game.
The Lakers had lost four of their previous five games. They couldn’t afford another collapse. Redick recognized what was happening on the floor and acted decisively, regardless of contracts, reputations, or expectations.
That’s exactly what a head coach is supposed to do.
How Ayton Responds Will Define His Lakers Future
Benchings happen. Even to stars. What matters is the response.
Ayton will get another opportunity to prove himself when the Lakers face the Grizzlies again on Sunday night. There’s no doubt Redick will give him a chance to bounce back — but there should be equally little doubt that Redick won’t hesitate to bench him again if the effort and engagement aren’t there.
This isn’t personal. It’s professional.
The Lakers want to win. Redick will do whatever gives his team the best chance to do that.
A Pivotal Moment in Ayton’s Season
This moment could go one of two ways:
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Ayton responds with urgency, physicality, and focus — reestablishing himself as a core piece.
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The inconsistency continues, forcing the Lakers to seriously explore alternatives.
For a team with championship aspirations, patience has limits.
Final Thoughts
Deandre Ayton’s fourth-quarter benching wasn’t harsh — it was honest.
The Lakers didn’t sit him because of one missed shot or one bad possession. They sat him because his overall impact wasn’t good enough, and because another player gave them a better chance to win.
That reality may be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary.
The Lakers need Ayton. But more importantly, they need results. The ball is now firmly in Ayton’s court.
How he responds will determine not just his role — but possibly his future in Los Angeles.
