The Los Angeles Lakers made the move fans had been waiting for on Wednesday when they signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal after he cleared waivers. Okay, maybe that wasn't _the_ move fans hoped for, but at least it was something. There's reason to be hopeful about Ayton, but there's a lot that could go wrong, especially when it comes to the center playing under JJ Redick.
Nobody thought Ayton would be available on the free agent market, not until the Trail Blazers negotiated a contract buyout and waived him. Why did Portland do that? The answer isn't one that Redick or Lakers fans want to hear, as Jason Quick of The Athletic wrote that the Trail Blazers ["couldn't live with his bad ways"](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6463929/2025/06/30/deandre-ayton-portlant-trail-blazers-free-agency/) (subscription required). He was routinely late to practices and team flights, missed rehabilitation appointments, and threw tantrums.
Portland felt that it would be better for its young core if Ayton weren't around. In a matter of a few days, he went from being on a rebuilding team to being teammates with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles is feeling the pressure, as LeBron exercised his player option on Sunday, but his agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that the superstar wants to win a title. So far, the Lakers' offseason moves haven't screamed title contender, especially as their rivals, such as the Nuggets and Rockets, have bolstered their rosters.
Lakers can only hope that Deandre Ayton signing won't age poorly
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If the version of Ayton that was in Portland shows up in LA, the issues will start immediately. Redick won't put up with the center's lackluster effort, for starters. He'll need to make a 180 if he wants to be the Lakers' starting center for the entirety of the season.
Redick is entering his second season as head coach, but he is no-nonsense, which is a result of the 15 years he spent in the league himself. As a player, he was known for his intense workouts. Redick was regarded as the most ["meticulous" player in the league](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/sports/jj-redick-sixers.html) (subscription required). No coach in the NBA would be a fan of Ayton's bad habits, especially not someone like Redick.
Hopefully, joining the Lakers will serve as a wake-up call for Ayton, not just because Los Angeles needs him to be at his best. It could be Ayton's last chance to prove himself as a starter on a contending team.