Deandre Ayton’s arrival at the Los Angeles Lakers has brought renewed attention to the team’s center position this season. After a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton joined the Lakers hoping to rebuild his career alongside teammates Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James.
Ayton, known for his effectiveness in short rolls and pocket passes, has been working on developing chemistry with the team’s ball-handlers. With most players now healthy, that chemistry appears to be improving as Ayton contributes efficiently on offense. He recently returned from missing one game due to a knee contusion and recorded 17 points and eight rebounds while shooting 8-for-9 from the field in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Luka Doncic commented on Ayton’s impact early in the regular season: “He’s been amazing for us the whole season,” Doncic said. “Since the start until now, he’s been amazing. He will keep doing what he does. Sometimes I need to get him more looks. But the way he plays on both ends of the floor has been amazing. I really appreciate him.”
LeBron James also acknowledged Ayton’s contributions after four games into his 23rd NBA season: “Everything that we ask him to do, he does it,” James said. “Then it’s our responsibility to give him the ball when he is open. It’s our responsibility to attract the eyes off of him, for him to get good looks. He’s making them all count. It was a big force for us. He sets pretty much 80 percent of our pick-and-roll. Jax [Jaxson Hayes] sets a lot. I’ll sprinkle in a little bit here and there, but he’s a big-time player for us offensively and defensively. [He’s] anchoring our defense with the communication, things of that nature. In a pick-and-roll heavy league, it’s great to have that safety net when we’re doubled or whatever the case may be to find him.”
Ayton has so far proven himself as an asset within head coach JJ Redick’s system and appears committed to contributing throughout the rest of the season.
Additionally, Ayton expressed admiration for Austin Reaves’ scoring ability, noting how playing alongside talented scorers makes his role as center easier.
