The Lakers hoped Deandre Ayton would look totally different of their surroundings. With extra construction and better stakes, the assumption was that his expertise would lastly translate into constant influence.
As a substitute, the Lakers are discovering a actuality that each the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Path Blazers already understood. Ayton’s points had been by no means about capacity. They had been about effort, defensive instincts, and progress.
Effort questions observe Deandre Ayton in all places he goes
Ayton nonetheless has elite measurement and contact across the basket. These traits have by no means disappeared.
What continues to frustrate groups is how usually the motor runs chilly.
NBA insiders have highlighted repeated sequences the place Ayton will get outrun by opposing facilities, jogs again in transition, or reacts late on defensive rotations. These lapses instantly put stress on teammates and expose group large defensive weaknesses.
In Los Angeles, the place defensive accountability is non negotiable for a contender, these moments are not possible to cover. What as soon as felt like occasional lapses now appear to be a sample.
Zach Lowe’s criticism cuts to the core of the Ayton downside
That sample just lately drew a pointy remark from Zach Lowe, who described Ayton as “only a lump of clay.” The comment was much less about disrespect and extra about disappointment.
Lowe’s level was clear. After years within the league, Ayton nonetheless feels unfinished. His defensive consciousness, urgency, and really feel for the sport haven’t developed the way in which groups anticipated from a former primary decide.
That critique aligns completely with why Phoenix by no means absolutely trusted him as a defensive anchor and why Portland was snug treating him as a short lived piece somewhat than a cornerstone. Expertise with out constant progress ultimately forces onerous choices.
Ayton is nice starter however not the answer to the Lakers’ issues
Ayton is just not a foul participant. He’s a official NBA starter who can rating effectively and rebound his place.
The issue is the hole between expectations and actuality. Proper now, he profiles nearer to a prime 20 beginning middle than a real distinction maker. For a group chasing championships, that distinction issues.
In opposition to elite competitors, Ayton doesn’t tilt matchups defensively. He doesn’t constantly shield the rim, management the paint, or set a bodily tone. That leaves teammates compensating and methods bending round his limitations.
Phoenix realized this throughout playoff runs. Portland acknowledged it throughout their reset. Now the Lakers are studying the identical lesson in actual time.
Ayton stays proficient. However within the NBA, expertise with out urgency, defensive dedication, and progress ultimately solutions the identical query in all places. That’s the reason two franchises felt advantageous letting him go, and why Los Angeles is now dealing with the identical uncomfortable reality. He could be quickly on the chopping block. True defensive gamers like Giannis or Jaren Jackson could possibly be shortly focused, and Ayton could be a part of a bundle subsequent to Austin.
