Following an early playoff exit, the Los Angeles Lakers front office set out to add to their roster around stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles had multiple holes to fill, but the team had a limited amount of assets to work with. While the Lakers didn’t address everything on the roster, general manager Rob Pelinka still put together a strong enough team to compete in the Western Conference. Entering the offseason, the big move needed was to deal with the center position, as Los Angeles didn’t have a quality big man on the roster.
The Lakers went out to sign former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, in what was seen as a surprising move. Ayton was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers and was immediately linked to the Lakers. With Ayton now in place, the Lakers have a strong enough center to move forward heading into the year, and the team feels good about itself. While Ayton has dealt with criticism over the course of his career, this may be the perfect spot for the veteran big man.
In 40 games played for Portland last season, Ayton put up 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. Ayton has averaged a double-double in all seven years of his NBA career.
Deandre Ayton Will Reach All-Star Status
Ayton has all the skills to be successful in the NBA, but a lack of drive has held him back at times. But now that he gets to play for the largest NBA brand, while playing alongside two of the best players in the league, Ayton can reach All-Star status. This will be the year that the former Arizona product puts it all together and earns his first All-Star appearance. Due to Doncic and James giving him easy shot attempts, Ayton should be able to feast on the offensive end of the floor.
Ayton doesn’t have the best touch in the painted area, but it’s something that he can work on throughout the year. Los Angeles doesn’t need him to be a star center, but rather just to play his role on the floor. If Ayton can be a rim-running, lob-threat on offense, the Lakers will have gotten a real steal in this signing. Ayton has the tools to be exactly this, and potentially more for this Lakers squad.
On defense, the Lakers just need him to protect the rim while also rebounding at a high level. The few times that Ayton has been placed on a winning team in his career, we have seen him shine bright.
Ayton was a central part of the Phoenix Suns getting to the NBA Finals a few years ago, and he will now be looking to do the same with the Lakers. This is a prove-it type of season for the veteran center, and it’s time for him to show everyone around the NBA exactly what he can do on the court.
