In 2024-25, with Jaxson Hayes serving as the lone satisfactory big man option in the rotation, the Los Angeles Lakers were forced into a ton of unfavorable defensive schemes and coverages. The addition of Deandre Ayton will allow them to shift the necessary gears away from those.
It would certainly be a welcomed sight to have Ayton emerge as a strong rim protector down low. The Lakers defense would thrive with having a strong last line of defense if their perimeter options are beaten off the dribble.
Even without that, the mere presence of the new Lakers center alone means less need for overreliance on switching. There can be a ton more variance with how they deploy their defensive unit, allowing JJ Redick to add creativity to how his team will operate.
Jovan Buha brought this conversation up on a recent episode of his podcast. The Lakers reporter admitted there will be real concerns with the personnel. However, that did not mean Los Angeles should simply back down from the thought of improving.
“They have to be selective with their switching and just admit that they don’t have a switch-heavy personnel, especially with that starting group,” Buha said. “Whether it’s Rui [Hachimura] or whether it’s Marcus Smart, there are real limitations there.”
Buha continued, highlighting that while Ayton is not atrocious when switching onto some wings or guards, the strength of his defensive presence would come from ‘a higher drop or playing up to touch.’ Mixing in blitzing or hedging was also brought up as a strategy.
Ultimately, Buha did believe the best move was to have Ayton play coverage, rather than getting him involved in defensive switching. His mobility is not necessarily up to par with the better options at the position in the league.
What this comes down to is maximizing the personnel. The Lakers continuing the type of schemes that were ran last season would not serve that purpose. They need change.
That is not to say they cannot have stretches or specific matchups when they will adopt an approach that leans more into switching. However, doing so goes away from allowing Ayton an opportunity to play his best defense since his Phoenix Suns days.
The new starting center in Los Angeles is not an elite stopper by any stretch of the imagination. However, good coaching can provide the right opportunity to get the most out of his role. For Ayton, that means drop coverage.
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