JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are banking on a reset for Deandre Ayton. After a rocky stint in Portland that ended with a buyout, Ayton signed a two-year deal in Los Angeles. The plan is simple. He will anchor the middle as the starting center, with Jaxson Hayes returning in a backup role.
For Ayton, this is more than just another stop. It could be the defining opportunity of his career.
Insider: Lakers Could Unlock Ayton’s Ceiling
deandre ayton
GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the Lakers represent Ayton’s “best chance” to finally live up to the promise that once earned him a max contract.
“This surely won’t be Ayton’s last chance to live up to the potential that earned him a max contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers on the eve of free agency. It might be his best.”
The reasoning is clear. Playing alongside Luka Doncic gives Ayton a chance to thrive in ways he has not before. Pelton notes that screeners for Doncic have posted an effective field goal percentage of 63 percent when finishing plays, the best mark for any high-usage ball handler in the NBA. For a big man with Ayton’s physical tools, that could be a game-changer.
Why the Lakers Need Ayton Locked In
This is not only about Ayton’s ceiling. It is also about the Lakers’ urgency. With LeBron James nearing the end of his career, Los Angeles cannot afford to waste a year on a disengaged starting center.
That has been the knock on Ayton in both Phoenix and Portland — long stretches of uninspired play, where effort and energy seemed to vanish. If that happens again, the Lakers will not hesitate to pivot at the trade deadline.
Health is another factor. Ayton has struggled to stay consistently available, which makes his role in Los Angeles even more precarious.
Last season with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Solid numbers, but not the dominance expected from a former No. 1 pick.
What’s at Stake for Ayton
Ayton is only 27. The tools are still there. What the Lakers are betting on is motivation, structure, and the gravitational pull of Doncic to bring out the best version of him.
This may not be Ayton’s last chance. But as Pelton said, it might be his best.