Deandre Ayton says he is not focused on his 2026-27 player option and is trusting his agents to handle his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Deandre Ayton says he is not thinking about his player option for the 2026-27 season, staying focused on the present with the Los Angeles Lakers and trusting his representatives to handle the situation.
The Lakers' season just ended in the second round of the playoffs, losing the series against OKC 0-4.
"I don't know, I trust my agents, you know. That's about it," he said in a post-game interview. "I really don't think too much in that. That's really out of my hands, but, you know, I love it here regardless, you know, the fans and everybody that have been around me, the coaching staff, they really treat me well and they treat me like family. "
Ayton has been steady during the regular season on paper. He played 72 games and averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds, shooting a strong 67.1 percent from the field.
But his impact in the playoffs has become a talking point.
In the last game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which the Lakers lost 115-110, Ayton finished with only 6 points and 3 rebounds in 21 minutes. His presence was limited on both ends, and the Lakers needed more inside production.
At the same time, backup center Jaxson Hayes made a stronger impact, scoring 18 points in 27 minutes and giving Los Angeles more energy in the paint.
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