Lakers coach JJ Redick
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JJ Redick is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
For years, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to find stability at the center position, cycling through options in what has become a familiar revolving door.
Last offseason, the hope was that the experiment would finally end.
The Lakers brought in former No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton following his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, a move designed to solidify the middle and bring long-term reliability to the frontcourt.
Instead, the situation has only grown more complicated. As the season has progressed, scrutiny around the 27-year-old has intensified, with questions mounting about his role, impact, and future in Los Angeles.
Lakers Winning Again, Ayton’s Struggles Continue
After a difficult stretch, the Lakers have steadied themselves, winning two straight games and four of their last five following a 129-118 road victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
Yet even amid that resurgence, Ayton endured another rough outing.
He finished with just six points and two rebounds in 22 minutes, and Los Angeles was outscored by 15 points during his time on the floor. By contrast, fellow center Jaxson Hayes posted a team-high plus-26.
In recent weeks, Ayton has missed multiple point blank attempts, including routine layups and lob finishes, and has looked far removed from the version that entered the league with the Phoenix Suns during the 2018-19 season.
That disconnect has fueled external calls for change. Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts was blunt in his assessment, arguing that the Lakers should move on quickly.
“The Los Angeles Lakers’ only option is to trade Deandre Ayton as things keep getting worse,” Watts wrote. “Benching Ayton isn’t working, so all that is left to do is move on.”
Earlier this month, Ayton publicly voiced frustration about a lack of touches. Since then, his role has continued to shrink, and his on-court minutes have increasingly reflected a player losing trust within the rotation.
Criticism Mounts as Numbers Trend Down
Ayton’s struggles have not gone unnoticed across the league. Former NBA champion turned analyst Kendrick Perkins has been among the loudest voices calling out the center’s effort and approach.
“The sh-t I’m witnessing from him right now is disturbing to watch him on the floor,” Perkins said on a recent episode of The Road Trippin’ Podcast. “He does nothing athletically, he’s not going to lunge for basketballs, he’s not going to make the extra effort – like I just don’t get it.”
“He just don’t play with no damn force. It’s a damn shame.”
Through 40 games this season, Ayton is averaging 13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while shooting 66% from the field.
However, when he is on the court, the Lakers carry a defensive rating of 117.7, a mark surpassed by only Jake LaRavia and Gabe Vincent.
Energy and physicality have been persistent concerns. Since a historic perfect shooting performance in a 25-point outing against the Toronto Raptors on January 18, Ayton’s production has sharply declined.
Over the four games since, he is averaging just 5.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game while shooting 34.4% from the field.
General manager Rob Pelinka has long been viewed as scouring the trade market for wing help ahead of the February 5 deadline. Recently, however, reporting from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst has suggested the center position may now be an equally pressing priority.
Several names have been linked to Los Angeles, including Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford, and Yves Missi.
Still, with limited interest in the Lakers’ expiring contracts and only one tradable first-round pick at their disposal, asset constraints remain the primary obstacle as Ayton’s slump deepens and the frontcourt questions persist.