Deandre Ayton is embracing his fresh start in Los Angeles with confidence. The new Lakers center told reporters he finally feels like he’s “somewhere where it counts,” and he’s eager to prove himself on the NBA’s biggest stage after years of criticism about his role and consistency.
“This is the biggest opportunity I can say, in my career. Some people say it’s my last leg, some people say it’s my last chance. This is an opportunity I can say I’m truly not going to take for granted,” Ayton said during Media Day. “It’s almost like a wounded animal. I feel all the tension and I know where I’m at.”
Ayton, 27, was the first overall pick in 2018. Coming out of Arizona, he was hailed as a star in the making but he has yet to live up to that potential. Only now, ahead of his first season with the Lakers, Ayton believes he’s in a position to have the breakout season we’ve been waiting for.
“I’ve been in the gym every day. Like I say, I’m somewhere where it counts now,” Ayton added. “And I’m happy that everybody gets to see it. I’m happy where as a player, as myself, I get a chance to prove something big on a big stage.”
Ayton began on the Phoenix Suns, where he played for the first five years of his career. With averages of 16.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game on 59.7% shooting, he provided a steady hand in the frontcourt but never quite lived up to his potential. After the 2022-23 season, and several failed seasons in Phoenix, Ayton was traded to Portland, where his career began to decline even further.
As a Trail Blazer, Ayton’s nonchalant attitude and careless playstyle often got him into trouble with head coach Chauncey Billups, who was trying to build a very particular type of culture for the organization. After averaging a career-low 14.4 points per game last season, Ayton’s career took another turn once he was bought out from his contract and became an unrestricted free agent. Once he hit the open market, his future was entirely in his hands.
Among several teams vying for his talents, the young center chose to join the Lakers and it came with some major expectations. For one, it’s a chance for Ayton to compete on a different level and prove that he’s a winner despite what the critics say. Besides his Finals run in 2021, he has yet to make a meaningful playoff appearance but that could change with Luka Doncic and LeBron James by his side.
For the first time in his career, Ayton feels like he’s playing for something bigger and he knows what it means for his own journey. With more expectations than he’s ever had, Ayton is taking the moment to get himself into better shape and properly hone the skills he’s developed over the past seven years.
The important thing for the Lakers is that they have a big man capable of providing a steady presence in the paint. To finish high in the standings, the team doesn’t need Ayton to play like a superstar but they do need him to play his role and work hard to ensure he’s giving his maximum effort every time he’s on the floor. It’s going to be a process, but Ayton is confident he can get it done and be everything the Lakers need him to be.
Throughout his career, Deandre Ayton has faced his share of criticism, but now he has the stage he’s been waiting for. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the charge, the Lakers don’t need Ayton to be a star, they just need him to be reliable, locked in, and hungry. If he delivers on his promise to seize this opportunity, Los Angeles could have found the missing piece it’s been searching for.
