It's painfully obvious that there are plenty of questions regarding [Deandre Ayton’s fit with the Los Angeles Lakers](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-rumors-already-proven-false-by-deandre-ayton-contract). His reputation regarding his work ethic has not been the greatest in his career. But as we get closer to the 2025-26 season, there is one major detail working in the Lakers’ favor: Ayton is about to be in a contract year.
This is not something a lot of fans might think about, but it may end up mattering in the long run. Ayton has plenty of impressive physical tools in his bag, but it's always been his motor and motivation that's been consistently called into question.
The good news for LA is that players tend to find their motivation when money is on the line. Ayton will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026, and how he performs this season will go a long way toward determining the size and structure of the next contract he earns. Ayton knows that, and so does the Lakers' front office.
Rob Pelinka’s offseason strategy has clearly emphasized upside, and the Ayton move falls right in line with that trend. If Ayton puts together his most engaged season yet, the Lakers will have secured a 26-year-old big man entering his prime on what could become a highly valuable expiring contract. And if they decide he is not the long-term answer, they will at least have a motivated version of him to showcase on the trade market ahead of the deadline.
Ayton might have added motivation next season
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The other factor at play here is the new-look roster surrounding Ayton. This is no longer a team fully built around LeBron James. The Lakers are preparing for a future centered on Luka Doncic and the next generation of contributors. If he plays to his potential, Ayton could grow alongside that timeline and provide long-term frontcourt stability. But even if he does not, the contract year environment still creates a favorable setup.
Ayton’s ability to stay locked in every night is what has prevented him from joining the league’s upper tier of bigs. If he runs the floor hard, sets real screens, protects the rim, and finishes his opportunities in the paint, the Lakers will have gotten real value in a league where big men are increasingly being paid for much less.
Whether or not Ayton lives up to his expectations remains to be seen. But there is a legitimate reason for optimism in Los Angeles. The contract year dynamic creates urgency and the situation affords opportunity. If Ayton finally channels his potential into consistent production, the Lakers may come out of this move looking smarter than anyone expected.
Sometimes, betting on upside only works when the timing is right. For the Lakers and Deandre Ayton, the clock is working in their favor.