Deandre Ayton’s Struggles Under the Microscope: What’s Going Wrong for the Lakers’ Center?
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant 123-87 defeat at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, a game heavily impacted by the absence of key players like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves. However, the performance of center Deandre Ayton has drawn particular scrutiny from Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Redick’s Direct Assessment of Ayton’s Performance
Speaking to reporters following the lopsided loss, Redick pinpointed a fundamental issue with Ayton’s game: “He’s having trouble catching the ball,” Redick stated (beginning at the 1:51 mark of the video). “So, we ran a bunch of plays for him. He’s just had trouble catching the ball. I don’t know if that’s the passing or if it’s him trying to get position. He just hasn’t been able to catch the ball.”
Ayton’s stat line on Tuesday reflected these struggles, with a meager three points on 1-of-4 shooting, alongside three rebounds, one block, and one turnover in 23 minutes of play. This performance raises concerns about his impact, especially considering the Lakers’ need for strong interior play.
A Gamble That Hasn’t Paid Off (Yet)?
The Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.21 million contract, including a player option for 2026-27, hoping to address the interior deficiencies that plagued them during their first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. Ayton, the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, brought a pedigree of solid statistical output, having averaged a double-double in his first seven NBA seasons across Phoenix and Portland.
However, those numbers haven’t always translated to impactful play, and questions about his effort have lingered throughout his career. While he’s started all 69 games for the Lakers this season, Ayton is currently experiencing career lows in points per game (12.2), rebounds per game (8.0), and minutes per game (27.1). You can find more detailed NBA stats and analysis on NBA.com.
Limited Options and Playoff Implications
Redick’s continued reliance on Ayton, despite his struggles, is likely due to a lack of viable alternatives at the center position. The absence of James (rested as a precaution) and Dončić and Reaves (injured) further exposed Ayton’s shortcomings. When surrounded by the Lakers’ star power, Ayton’s issues are often masked, but without them, his limitations become glaring.
Despite being a former No. 1 overall pick, Deandre Ayton has yet to establish himself as a consistent, go-to player in the NBA. If the Lakers require him to elevate his game during playoff contention, his current form could foreshadow another early exit for the team. The Lakers’ success may hinge on whether Ayton can rediscover the form that made him a highly touted prospect. For more on the Lakers’ playoff outlook, check out ESPN’s NBA Playoffs coverage.
