The summertime acquisition of Deandre Ayton was originally celebrated by most Lakers fans, believing they had found their answer at center next to LeBron James and Luka Doncic. However, much like the team’s season, Ayton’s start in LA has been a rollercoaster, lumping him with some unfortunate company heading out of the All-Star break.
Lakers Big Man Earns Spot on Bleacher Report’s ‘Overrated’ List
B/R’s Greg Swartz on Ayton’s Status
Ayton landed sixth on Greg Swartz’s list of the league’s most overrated players Monday, with Swartz writing in part:
“The No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 draft has long frustrated his teams with a lack of motor. Former Suns head coach Monty Williams famously benched him in a Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2022 playoffs. Now JJ Redick is seeing a familiar lack of effort at times.
Despite his 7’0″ frame and 7’6″ wingspan, Ayton has never been a defensive anchor even with his physical advantages.
Averaging just 1.0 block in over 30.6 minutes for his career, opponents are making a healthy 59.3 percent of their shots at the rim this season with him as the primary defender. For comparison, that’s nearly identical to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s six inches shorter.”
In 46 games, Ayton has averaged 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in addition to the lone block per game. Questions over his effort and maturity—key issues during his time in Portland—have once again reared their ugly heads at various points of the season. Jaxson Hayes’ strong play as of late has not helped Ayton’s case, either, igniting a debate over whether another change to the starting five is necessary.
Ayton Must Prove Himself Upon Return
With 28 regular-season games remaining, the Lakers need to find something that powers them to a strong finish. Luke Kennard has offered hope with his sharpshooting and gravity. The team’s recent switch to zone has become a pleasant surprise. But it’s the Lakers’ stability in the middle that’s worth monitoring going forward, especially in a conference loaded with elite bigs that can play LA off the floor.
Despite Hayes stuffing the stat sheet last week and remaining an ideal lob threat for Doncic, it’s impossible to see him sticking with the first five once Ayton is healthy. Ayton hasn’t come off the bench since Aug. 10, 2020—when he missed a coronavirus test and sat out of the first quarter awaiting results. Unless he’s placed on a minutes restriction when he returns or Redick goes for a bold experiment after all, Ayton’s spot in the starting lineup is essentially guaranteed.
That makes the rest of Ayton’s campaign vital for himself and the Lakers, who brought him in knowing his polarizing history in Phoenix and Portland. Ayton needs to answer the call and prove doubters wrong yet again, or the Lakers could turn to free agency to find their long-term fit at the five.
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