Anthony Davis‘ desire to spend less time at center was behind the Lakers‘ decision to add Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Davis has long preferred to play power forward, which enables him to take advantage of his mobility and requires less battling for position against other big men. He expressed that to the Lakers’ front office this summer, and they responded by signing Hayes in July and Wood in September.
It’s an arrangement with the potential to work out well for everyone involved, McMenamin notes. Even though Davis has started at center in every game he has played, he’s playing there less often as he and Wood have been finishing games together. Hayes and Wood each signed two-year deals with a player option, so they have a chance to raise their values and return to free agency in 2024.
Second-year coach Darvin Ham has adjusted to the new roster, and he understands management’s desire to keep one of its stars happy.
“I don’t get caught up in it,” Ham said about Davis’ dealings with the front office. “I know what he means about wanting to have his skill set be diversified on the floor. I get that part, and we are on the same page.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- A left calf contusion caused LeBron James to miss his first game of the season Sunday night, per Buster Holmes of ESPN. James was originally listed as questionable before being downgraded later in the day. “He has some issues with that shin that (got) kneed in the last game, so, (we’re) just being proactive,” Ham explained. “No reason to run him in the ground this early. But it’s an opportunity where he can get some treatment (and) not force it.”
- Cam Reddish is getting the biggest opportunity of his NBA career after replacing Austin Reaves in the Lakers’ starting lineup, notes Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. Reddish admits his confidence was waning after frustrating experiences with the Hawks, Knicks and Trail Blazers, but his Lakers teammates have been working to prop him up as he takes on an important role. “We know the type of talent he is,” Davis said. “He can be a big-time player for us and he has shown that, what we want from him, in the past couple of games.”
- Jovan Buha of The Athletic wonders why Ham decided to remove Reaves from the starting lineup rather than D’Angelo Russell. The former starting backcourt was a bad fit together, but Buha points out that Reaves is one of only three Lakers with a contract that extends past three seasons.
Kind of a dumb question on the last one. Can’t read because it’s member-only, of course, but Reaves is playing with the bench over D-Lo because A) He’s more versatile and can fit in pretty much any mix-and-match lineup the Lakers make from their depth and starters, B) D-Lo is a trade chip while Reaves isn’t, so diluting his value isn’t a great idea when other moves are available, and C) D-Lo is a more consistent playmaker and shooter than Reaves. He hasn’t had everything working this season yet, but he’s a career 36% 3pt shooter and will improve. And the playmaking is obvious.
lol this guy is clearly a big Austin Reaves fan. Says Reaves lost his spot bc he’s a better shooter and playmaker than the guy who didn’t lose his spot. Even tho D’Lo has been the better shooter & playmaker throughout their careers.
“D-Lo is a more consistent playmaker and shooter than Reaves.”
Still illiterate, Sankara. Lmao.
What’s the difference?
The fact that you claimed I said the literal and exact opposite of what I said? D-Lo is more consistent at shooting 3s and playmaking than Reaves is. Consistency, especially at volume, means you’re better. I said D-Lo hasn’t had his shot working, which is true (29% from 3 so far), but that he’s a good career shooter and that I expect him improve as the season goes on, which is a vote of confidence.
I’m not sure how you thought I said the *exact opposite* of that.
Reaves being part of the bench unit has more to do with a diverse skillset and with D-Lo being exactly what the starters need in theory than Reaves being bad. It’s not like Reaves is a bad player; he’s been very solid in his last four despite a slow start. D-Lo simply fits the starting 5 better than him, and his superior shooting and playmaking is why.
Calling you “illiterate” was rude, though. I apologize for that. Just baffled about the mix-up.
D’Lo makes too many bad decisions with the basketball and is ineffective at getting to the rim to be considered a consistent playmaker. He may be slightly better than Reaves but Reaves is a shooting guard so it’s not really his job. Neither one has to be a great playmaker though. They have one of the best playmakers in NBA history already on the team. They just need to knock down open shots or keep the ball moving.
Russell has a better mid-range game but he’s only .003 better from deep over the course of his career from deep, no real difference there. Interestingly enough Russel’s effective field goals percentage in .74% lower than Reaves.
On the other side of the ball there is no real comparison. Russell makes Reaves look like prime Gary Payton defensively.
Sankara always is guaranteed to throw out really dumb comments
I thought his post was accurate Sank
To add I think Dlo pairs w Ad better as they run a legit pnr
*Lakers rotations are so far from settled right now due to inj I wouldn’t make much of them today
And D) Reaves is more of an attack-oriented player than Russell is, which better suites a role leading the 2nd unit.
My lord is Hayes awful , hands of stone , no court awareness , gets lost in rotations on court . Rather have Wenyen any day over this guy
Wood is a real solid option at centre with AD, real big fan of that duo. However more recently Wood has been poor getting rebounds. We know the defence won’t really be there but at minimum please give some rebounds
Ironically, the defense has been there, at least in the paint. Opponents with Wood defending them are shooting 46% at the rim and 40% in the paint and short midrange, both of which are *way* below the league average (61% and 58% at this point in the season, respectively).
His rebounding seems inconsistent. He’s had some solid games, some good games, some passable games, and then last night and the debacle against Houston.
Yea , Def and rebounding has been solid probably his 2 best assets of the year so far
His shot selection on the other hand can get a bit sloppy at some points. I could see how once. He goes cold he could find pine quickly bc of that at prev spots
Good too see some improvement at that end knowing how good he can be offensively already. He’s got a really good opportunity in LA and I’m hoping for both him and the team he can work it out and hang around
Darvin Ham don’t get it. He’s one of the worst head coaches in the NBA. He’s getting by on talent alone.
Anthony Davis is a Power Forward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let the man play his natural position!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christian Wood should be the starting Center!!!
Anthony Davis should be starting at Power Forward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t get it!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually the starting 5 should be
Christian Wood Center
Anthony Davis Power Forward
LeBron James Small Forward
Cam Reddish Shooting Guard
D’Angelo Russell Point Guard
Austin Reaves closing games in the 6th man role with Rui Hachimura as the 7th man.
But CWood isn’t really a center either
Maybe if Ads outside shot was getting better (not worse) they might be able to accommodate his wishes better
And I wholly hope your not fashioning Hayes for ANY minutes on the floor moving forward.That guy should be playing beach volleyball
“He’s getting by on talent alone.”
The 37-9 FTA advantage doesn’t hurt, either. Another season of Lakers protection from the refs.
THIS
People keep trying to get down on Anthony Davis about this or that but it ain’t no all star or super star playing out of position in the NBA except him. Darvin Ham let the man play Power Forward and Christian Wood play Center because Taurean Prince supposed to coming off the bench.
AD is from the SoftSide of Chicago ……