The Los Angeles Lakers are but to fill their void on the heart place forward of the 2025-26 NBA season.
To date, the Los Angeles Lakers are among the many high losers within the NBA Free Company. They’ve already misplaced a key veteran in Dorian Finney-Smith as he signed a four-year take care of the Houston Rockets.
On the similar time, the Lakers are in shambles after shedding three key targets to rivals. Positive, they’ve welcomed Jake LaRavia to the roster, however that’s not sufficient to earn applause from the fanbase.
Because of this, franchise legend James Worthy has urged GM Rob Pelinka to safe free agent heart Deandre Ayton.
Being the primary general choose within the 2018 NBA Draft, the expectations for Ayton had been to change into a celebrity within the league.
Nonetheless, Ayton by no means reached that ceiling, and the Phoenix Suns parted methods with him in 2023. Even with the Portland Path Blazers, Ayton hardly cleared his picture as his tenure with the franchise got here to an finish following a contract buyout.
Now, Ayton is considered as a determined goal for the LA Lakers, who’re on the hunt for a starting-caliber heart for the upcoming season. Worthy gave his two cents on Ayton doubtlessly becoming a member of the staff.
“I’ve heard from GMs that you just actually don’t begin peaking in your profession till 28, 29. This can be a very good transfer for him,” Worthy mentioned on the Lakeshow podcast.
He added: “I don’t suppose he’s actually reached his potential but, however coming to a metropolis the place they demand that you just play nicely and play as much as your potential. I believe he’s prepared.”
For context, Ayton has averaged 16.4 factors, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per recreation for his profession whereas taking pictures a strong 59.6% from the sector.
If the Lakers go forward with signing Ayton, the largest fear for followers is Ayton’s work ethic. In spite of everything, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins claimed that Ayton has been labeled as a ‘diva’ across the league.
Regardless of that fear, Worthy believes taking part in alongside the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James will do extra good than hurt for Ayton.
“Whenever you come and play with Lebron or Luka, it’s such as you come to play with Magic [Johnson] or Michael [Jordan], you higher rattling step it up. Your work habits higher be good. And I believe he is aware of the e book on him.
“You recognize, not constant. I don’t wish to say gentle, however not robust sufficient to dam photographs and be bodily. And I believe you recognize his time in his profession, he’s received to make some extent to himself,” Worthy continued.
“And I believe coming to the Lakers may be good for him,” he concluded.
Enjoying below the brilliant lights of LA isn’t each NBA participant’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, on the similar time, it could actually make a participant’s profession.
Contemplating Ayton will flip 27 years previous throughout subsequent season, he’s on the good level in his profession to clear his picture as a locker room diva and pave a path to a memorable legacy throughout the remainder of his time within the NBA.
