Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has [hit the ground running](https://lakeshowlife.com/los-angeles-lakers-deandre-ayton-keeps-proving-not-bluffing-after-joining) with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's quickly emerged as a productive and efficient scorer, as well as a reliable offensive rebounder and an intriguing defensive option along the interior.
Many questioned if Ayton would be able to provide the consistency the Lakers need at center, but [he's checking every box](https://lakeshowlife.com/los-angeles-lakers-deandre-ayton-keeps-proving-not-bluffing-after-joining) and providing a magic number that can't be ignored: 20.
Ayton has scored at least 20 points in seven of his 17 appearances with the Lakers early in the 2025-26 season. Los Angeles is now 7-0 when he reaches that figure, including wins over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, and Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Los Angeles is also 10-1 when Ayton scores at least 15 points, 9-1 when he attempts at least 10 shots, and 8-0 when he records a double-double.
Ayton's individual success directly aligning with the team's accumulation of wins has been a joy to witness. He's rediscovered his confidence after a difficult tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers and is perfectly complementing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
With this in mind, the Lakers have a simple yet complex task ahead of them: Ensure Ayton's involvement is unaffected by the return of LeBron James.
Lakers border on unstoppable when Deandre Ayton is involved on offense
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The reintegration of James has been perhaps the most heavily-discussed topic in Lakers land in recent weeks. The NBA's all-time leading scorer is returning to a rotation that has two heavy favorites for All-Star status in Doncic and Reaves.
With an expiring contract, early-season injury issues, and questions pertaining to his potential retirement, James is shrouded in a cloud of mystery.
The one thing that most can agree on, however, is that the 21-time All-NBA honoree should play a prominent role in JJ Redick's system. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team as recently as last season and offers a unique blend of efficient shooting and top-tier playmaking to go with his generational all-around scoring skill set.
Doncic and Reaves have emerged as the top two stars of the future as far as current personnel is concerned, however, and many have expressed the belief that it's time to clear a path for them.
That could thus put James in the role of a No. 3, which he certainly has the skill level to take on. The question then becomes how the Lakers handle the matter of keeping Ayton engaged and involved on the offensive end of the floor.
Generating double-digit shot attempts for four different players is a manageable but difficult task, and it's even more challenging when one considers the high-volume nature of the perimeter trio.
If the Lakers hope to continue winning at the level they've thus far managed, they'll need to find a consistent solution. Ayton is too valuable on both ends of the floor to cap his usage at a lower rate, particularly when his scoring and shot attempts directly coincide with team success.
An embarrassment of riches is an admittedly good problem to have, but the Lakers are entering delicate territory and must ensure Ayton isn't lost in the shuffle. His value is simply too closely tied to winning to ignore.