Luka Dončić and LeBron James are the two most important players on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, but the third is probably Deandre Ayton. He signed a two-year deal with the Lakers this summer after the Trail Blazers bought out his contract before free agency in a surprise move.
At media day on Monday, Ayton addressed his future directly, noting how people have said it's his last chance in the NBA. He said that playing in Los Angeles is an "opportunity I can say I'm not going to take for granted." He said he's been in the gym every single day.
There isn't anything Lakers fans wanted to hear other than that from Ayton, who could flip the narrative surrounding him with a strong season in Los Angeles. It's not every day that you get to be the starting center for the Lakers. Not to mention, he's the only center on the roster who is capable of starting, as it's a role Jaxson Hayes cannot handle.
Ayton feels the pressure, as he should. His time with Portland didn't end on a high note, as the Trail Blazers no longer wanted to deal with his poor effort and attitude. If the version of that Ayton is the one who plays for the Lakers this season, he isn't going anywhere, other than the bench. He understands that.
Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ former No. 1 pick, calls coming to the Lakers “the biggest opportunity of my career”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 29, 2025
Deandre Ayton knows he has a lot to prove for the Lakers
Ayton is feeling the pressure of his future on his shoulders, and the Lakers are relying on him a lot, too. They immediately traded for Mark Williams after getting Dončić at the deadline, but rescinded the trade due to health concerns. Not having a quality center doomed Los Angeles down the stretch.
Ayton can erase the negative aspects of the past few years of his career in Los Angeles. It's not so much a question as to whether he's capable of being the player the Lakers need him to be. He was the No. 1 overall pick, after all. It's more a matter of whether he'll put in the effort to be that player.
So far, so good. We're only one day into the season, though, with Los Angeles holding its first day of training camp on Tuesday. Ayton certainly looked like he put in the work on day one. Let's see if his actions continue to speak for themselves.