Jaxson

Hayes

Both players will be good to go in the regular season finale for the Lakers, which won’t have an impact on the standings with LA having already clinched the third seed in the West. Both Hayes and Goodwin should start with the Lakers playing without multiple starters, including LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

The Lakers secured the third seed in the West with their win over the Rockets on Friday. Sunday’s rotation will look nothing like the core that will take center stage in the postseason next weekend. If Hayes and Vanderbilt do not play on Sunday, Trey Jemison is one of the frontcourt players who will figure more prominently in the rotation.

Hayes’ availability is of far greater importance to the Lakers, as he is part of the team’s usual starting lineup. He’ll retain that responsibility on Wednesday. Bronny is not in the Lakers’ rotation most nights, so there’s no need to roster him in active leagues.

Hayes hasn’t missed a game since the middle of March and has played through a few minor injury designations. He should be good to take on his usual starting center role against Dallas.

Sunday’s win over the Suns was Hayes’ first since missing four with a knee injury, and he played 29 minutes. His availability for the Lakers’ second game in as many nights is a good sign regarding Hayes’ health. Look for Hayes to approach 30 minutes, and he can provide deep-league value with LeBron James (groin) still out.

In his return from a knee injury that sidelined him for four games, Hayes outplayed his Suns counterparts on Sunday afternoon. The Lakers center recorded a complete stat line, minus three-pointers, shooting 80 percent from the field. The foul shooting was poor, but that’s usually a category the few managers who have Hayes rostered will have to punt. The Lakers play four games during Week 20, starting with the Spurs on Monday.

Hayes is back in the lineup after missing the Lakers’ last four games with a knee injury. His return should push Alex Len back to the bench, though he was ineffective as a starter. Christian Koloko will also lose out on some minutes.

Lakers coach JJ Redick provided good news on James, Rui Hachimura (knee) and Jaxson Hayes (knee) before Friday’s game against the Nuggets, saying that all three are “very close” to returning. When that will happen wasn’t made clear, so there should still be opportunities to stream some of the team’s low-rostered players. Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt are worth a look for Friday, while Dorian Finney-Smith has been more valuable when healthy (he is out on Friday).

Friday’s game will be the eighth straight missed by Hachimura, who is dealing with left patellar tendinopathy. As for Hayes, he has missed the last four (counting Friday) with a right knee contusion. With Dorian Finney-Smith considered doubtful for Friday’s game, the Lakers must rely more on Jarred Vanderbilt at the power forward position. He doesn’t bring much to the table offensively, but the Lakers’ lack of depth makes Vanderbilt a player worth considering in deep leagues.

Hayes will miss a second straight game with a right knee contusion. Alex Len started Monday’s loss to the Lakers but provided little value, logging just 13 minutes. Even if he remains in the starting lineup, there’s no need to stream Len. Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt will have added value, and the former is worth a look in deep leagues.