Lakers Rumors: JJ Redick’s Injury Update on Jaxson Hayes & 2 Stars May Push Rob Pelinka Toward $31.8M Trade

The Lakers have been plagued with injuries with Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood injured since last season. Despite his initial optimism, Redick reports that there are still “no updates” on Hayes. A new timeline that suggests both Vanderbilt and Wood may not return until January, leaves a significant gap in the Lakers’ frontcourt. With this roster imbalance, the urgency for a trade has reached a boiling point.

Head coach JJ Redick was hopeful that the players might be able to get back in the game within a few match-ups. But that wasn’t the case. To add to the frontcourt woes, Center Jaxson Hayes also got injured on November 26 and hasn’t appeared since. In this instance, Trevor Lane, a prominent Lakers insider, has proposed a $31.8 million trade equal to the combined contracts of Dennis Schröder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Shaedon Sharpe.

The Lakers are struggling with a 12-13 record, battling inconsistency in the Western Conference. Defensive weaknesses and frontcourt injuries to Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Christian Wood have exposed team vulnerabilities. LeBron James (25.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists) and Anthony Davis (22.3 points, 12.0 rebounds) carry the offensive load, but limited support from the supporting cast has resulted in critical losses. Now, a strategic trade becomes imperative to bolster their playoff prospects and roster stability.

The proposed trade by Lane brings in Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder, and Day’Ron Sharpe, each addressing critical gaps in the Lakers’ roster. Finney-Smith, a versatile 3-and-D forward, averages 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and shoots 35% from the three-point line, perfectly complementing LeBron James and Anthony Davis with his defensive prowess and floor-spacing ability.

Schröder, a former Laker, offers playmaking, perimeter defense, and scoring (14.8 PPG), reducing LeBron’s workload in initiating the offense. Meanwhile, Sharpe provides size and energy in the paint, averaging 5.7 rebounds in limited minutes, which could bolster the Lakers’ thin frontcourt and offer relief to LeBron and Davis.

On the outgoing side, Lane proposes, Rui Hachimura, who despite averaging 11.7 PPG, has shown inconsistency, making Finney-Smith’s defensive skill set a better fit for the team. Similarly, Gabe Vincent, while a proven playoff performer, is struggling this season with just 29% shooting from three, and his redundancy in the guard rotation makes him expendable.

Young prospects Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Lewis, though promising, are unlikely to contribute significantly this season, making them logical trade assets for a win-now approach. This calculated exchange balances the need for immediate impact while maintaining flexibility for the Lakers’ championship aspirations.

Even so, trades come with their risks. The existing chemistry of the team threatens to be disrupted and it places additional pressure on incoming players to perform immediately. As a team that is already grappling with injuries, this trade should be done after careful calculation.

That being said, the urgency created by Hayes and the extended absence of Vanderbilt and Woods leaves Pelinka with little choice. He has to explore his options aggressively and he should do it quickly.

Injury woes: No updates on Hayes, Vanderbilt, or Wood

For Rob Pelinka, injuries, frustrated fans, and the looming trade deadline have created a high-stakes environment. As the February 8th trade deadline approaches, the pressure mounts for LA to solidify its roster. With Hayes recently sidelined and ongoing concerns surrounding Vanderbilt and Wood’s returns, the spotlight shifts to Pelinka and his ability to navigate the trade market effectively.

Jaxson Hayes sustained an ankle sprain during a game on November 26, forcing him to the sidelines with no clear return timeline. The injury, described as moderate, affects his mobility and ability to contribute as a backup center, further straining the Lakers’ already thin frontcourt.

Meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt has been dealing with a left heel bursitis injury since the preseason, a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the heel, limiting his explosiveness and ability to defend effectively. Christian Wood’s persistent ankle injury, dating back to last season, further complicates the rotation.

Both Vanderbilt and Wood’s potential returns are now pushed to January, creating substantial gaps in the team’s lineup, only intensifying the urgency for strategic roster reinforcements through potential trades.

With the challenges of sustaining team performance amid injuries, and Trevor Lane presenting a game-changing trade scenario, Rob Pelinka has an important decision to make. Will he pull the trigger on a $31.8M deal that could redefine the Lakers’ season? Will he come up with a better one? The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The decisions made in the coming weeks will determine whether the Lakers can weather this storm—or if their playoff hopes will slip away.