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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 9, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) stands alone on the court during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 79 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers made the decision to sign Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal after he was bought out. The Trail Blazers tried to trade him, but found no market for him. Now, he’s the starting center for LA. Things have not been going well for him.
Ayton was mocked mercilessly for his comment about being used as Clint Capela. Right now, the Lakers sit sixth in the Western Conference standings. Ayton’s stats have gotten worse from last year in almost every metric. His points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and fouls are also worse than a year ago.
Despite this, Ayton continues to start for Los Angeles. One Lakers insider believes Ayton is one of the major issues plaguing the team at the moment.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton dunks the ball. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Lakers Insider Gives Harsh Criticism of Deandre Ayton
While appearing on The Ryen Rusillo Show, Lakers insider Jovan Buha had some big criticisms for Ayton. When asked if he would close a playoff game with Ayton or Jaxon Hayes, he was pretty blunt with his answer.
“Jaxon Hayes. How about this? I would start a playoff game with Jaxon Hayes. I was like, okay, $8 million, I think he’s lived up to the contract, but it’s more so a starting-level center on a team with playoff ambitions, especially the last couple of months, it’s been rough to say the least.”
Buha is brutal with his criticism, but it has been fair. Ayton’s effort continues to be a big storyline, just as it was with the Suns and the Trail Blazers. Defensively, he is posting the worst defensive rating of his career. Instead of being a rim protector and roller, he’s lost on the floor.
In contrast, Hayes’ defensive rating is almost five points better than what Ayton is posting. While he is mostly going against backups, his effort is much higher on the floor. That is something that JJ Redick values.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton shoots the ball in a game against the Hornets. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Lakers Are Struggling to Keep Pace in the Western Conference
Los Angeles is barely hanging on to the last seed out of the play-in. They are on a three-game winning streak, but that comes after a three-game losing streak. Austin Reaves is finally back healthy, so the team is back at full strength.
Keeping the team healthy is going to be the biggest key to them competing in the playoffs. Luka Doncic continues to get whatever shot he wants offensively, but his defensive effort has plagued him, too. Redick is tasked with fitting all of these pieces together in the next couple of months.
Ayton will continue to get criticism from outside sources until he changes his playing style. It’s unlikely he is going to be able to do that at this point in his career, as he is already eight years into his NBA career. The Lakers might consider playing Hayes more minutes in the playoffs because of that.