The Los Angeles Lakers decided to talk themselves into the DeAndre Ayton experience. Whether it was worthwhile ignoring Ayton's fatal flaw of lacking 'self-awareness' will soon reveal itself.
Jason Quick of The Athletic was the man who pointed out that flaw in his not-so glowing review of the former Portland Trail Blazers big man. The writer made it clear that Ayton viewed himself as a star, and nothing else, while lacking the reliable effort and drive to match.
Quick wrote, "Some questioned his maturity. When Ayton arrived, he envisioned himself as the cornerstone, the big fish, and he acted like it. ... While some reporters laughed, there were times when veterans at their lockers rolled their eyes."
The writer said head coach Chauncey Billups was never too worried because the former NBA champion thought he could 'instill some work ethic, humility and professionalism into Ayton.' With the former number one pick moving onto his next team, it is safe to say that experiment failed.
Lakes will immediately be put to task with Ayton
With a desperate need to perform a gigantic shift around Luka Doncic, the gamble on Ayton's talents was always something the Lakers needed to consider. Rob Pelinka and company clearly thought the on-court upside of 'Domin-Ayton' was worth the risk.
That feeling is understandable. For all his perceived troubles, Ayton did still average 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block during 30.2 minutes per game last season.
The former first overall pick also proved a good match with an elite playmaker when Chris Paul was flanking him with the Phoenix Suns. Now, Ayton gets to operate alongside Doncic, and maybe LeBron James, if the recent rumors surrounding the NBA legend start to subside.
The former Blazers center does deliver around the basket. Ayton enjoyed a career high in 2024-25, shooting 82.0 percent on shots from 0-3 feet. The 7-footer has never shot lower than 72.5 percent from that distance in his career.
Ayton-Luka 2-man game is going to be killer
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) July 2, 2025
Drop = Luka pull-up 3s
Hedge = w/LA's playbook we'll get 3v2s/2v1s for a lot of Ayton lobs and open corner 3s
Switch = Luka can cook a switch outside or Ayton can cook one inside
Switching was the hole with Hayes. That's filled now. https://t.co/gDcMN6cv8f
Even considering his inconsistent effort defensively, there is enough reason to believe any of the baggage that comes with Ayton is worth its risk due to the offensive upside when paired in a pick-and-roll partnership with Doncic. That is, at least, what the Lakers sold themselves on.
"Portland joins Phoenix as teams that have calculated that Ayton’s baggage isn’t worth his talent. And this week, as Ayton enters the free-agent market, there will likely be a third team that convinces itself it can either change, or live with, the Ayton experience," Quick said.
It will soon become clear if the Lakers can reliably be the team that finally gets the best version out of Ayton. If not, they will quickly look like that quirky girl screaming to anyone who will listen that they 'can fix him.'