After dropping out on Myles Turner, Brook Lopez, and Clint Capela, the perfect free agent middle for the Los Angeles Lakers to focus on is Deandre Ayton, though he’s removed from good.
Heading into the NBA offseason, one of many largest priorities for the Los Angeles Lakers was to discover a confirmed rim protector and lob risk to pair with Luka Doncic and the ultimate years of LeBron James.
Brook Lopez and Clint Capela appeared to be the favorites, however the Lakers missed out. Different free brokers like Myles Turner, Kevon Looney, Luke Kornet, and Naz Reid all signed elsewhere, and the Lakers’ choices are restricted.
Former first general choose Deandre Ayton was purchased out by the Portland Path Blazers, and regardless of some questions surrounding his motor and competitiveness, he can be a strong match for Los Angeles.
Earlier than being picked by the Phoenix Suns within the 2018 NBA Draft, Ayton described his definition of NBA success as merely attending to his second contract, which was met with scorn.
He did make clear that he felt he would solely get the contract if his staff succeeded, however the harm was executed. In 2024, he missed a Blazers’ sport as a result of his driveway was frozen over, prompting much more doubts about his aggressive nature.
“In the long run, they couldn’t dwell together with his unhealthy methods,” reported The Athletic’s Jason Fast concerning the Blazers agreeing to half methods with Ayton.
“The tardiness to staff flights and practices, in line with a staff supply. The skipping of rehabilitation appointments. Followers noticed him slam chairs when he was taken out of video games. And a staff supply stated there have been tantrums within the locker room when he was sidelined for poor effort.”
If that sounds acquainted, possibly you’ve been listening to Nico Harrison a bit an excessive amount of, as he sang an identical tune to assist justify buying and selling Luka Doncic to the Lakers final season.
In Dallas, Doncic was an elite participant, however his effort and conditioning had been lengthy a topic of controversy, and Harrison determined it wasn’t definitely worth the problem, transport him out for Anthony Davis.
Might two gamers with an identical status discover success collectively? The Lakers might need to seek out out, as there aren’t many choices left.
Doncic and Ayton have lengthy had a mutual respect for each other, and regardless of the highest choose being overshadowed by a lot of his draft classmates, he’s nonetheless a productive participant.
In seven seasons, he has averaged 16.4 factors, 10.5 rebounds, and a block, and is among the higher inside scorers within the league.
A lineup of Doncic, James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Ayton anchoring the protection ought to be greater than sufficient to compete within the West, and up to date free agent signing Jake LaRavia rounds out a bench with Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Bronny James.
Ayton just isn’t nice at spacing the ground and is much from an elite defender, however he’s serviceable, and enjoying on a staff that clearly needs him there could be sufficient to repair any angle issues that will or might not exist.
