Maxi

Kleber

Hayes will remain sidelined for a fourth straight game, which means the Lakers will turn to Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber for the backup center minutes. However, that hasn’t led to much production for either player.

Even with the Lakers still in play for the No. 3 seed in the West heading into the final day of the regular season, they may prioritize giving LeBron some rest, given the workload he has shouldered recently. As for Hayes, he has missed the Lakers’ last three games, resulting in more playing time for Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber.

Hayes will miss a third straight game with this foot injury, which means Drew Timme, Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt will be the backup center options. Vanderbilt should be the only way that plays enough minutes to provide value, though none of them have contributed enough in the box score to be worth streaming in.

Absent from the Lakers’ initial injury report, Hayes is now out with a sore left foot. Jarred Vanderbilt’s playing time is likely to increase since LeBron James is also out, with Maxi Kleber also receiving a boost.

The Lakers are already without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, so playing without LeBron will severely reduce their chances of winning. If LeBron is out, Nick Smith Jr., Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt are all candidates to start in his place.

Ayton was downgraded from questionable to out as the Lakers look to rebound from Monday’s loss, a game in which the former first-overall pick posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. With Ayton now sidelined, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes could see more minutes than usual.

Kleber’s return is timely, as Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart will both be sidelined. Extra playing time could be available for Kleber, but he’s not worth rostering in fantasy hoops.

Hachimura’s availability is more impactful, as he has consistently logged rotation minutes off the bench. If he can’t play on Monday, Jarred Vanderbilt could enter the rotation after picking up a DNP-CD in Saturday’s win over the Magic. As for Kleber, he has not appeared in a game since March 8. If available, his minutes are likely to be limited.

Monday’s game against the Rockets will be the fourth that Kleber has missed with a lumbar strain, and he’s going to miss a few games beyond that. According to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, the veteran forward has been shut down for five days and did not travel with the team for the start of its six-game road trip. There’s hope that Kleber will be able to rejoin the Lakers during the trip, but his availability does not affect fantasy basketball.

Kleber will miss a second straight game with a back injury, joining Jaxson Hayes on the sidelines. Jarred Vanderbilt will once again serve as Deandre Ayton’s primary backup, with Drew Timme possibly getting some run as well.