Assuming we continue to view Anthony Davis as a power forward, which was always his stated preference during his time in Los Angeles, then the bar for best true center of the LeBron James era has been remarkably low. Now, the arrival of Deandre Ayton means he probably immediately takes over that unofficial title.
It's honestly not like it was a particularly hard title to earn considering the past candidates. Marc Gasol, Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard all offered solid moments during their time in Los Angeles, but were far removed from their peak years when they suited up in the purple and gold.
Ayton gives the Lakers something they have not had during this entire run with LeBron: a center in his prime with real two-way potential. He has been criticized in the past for inconsistency and effort, but the talent has always been evident.
In LA, Ayton will have the opportunity to reset his narrative in a new system alongside Luka Doncic and a retooled supporting cast. That pairing alone could be transformative for his production, considering Luka’s ability to create easy opportunities for big men in the pick-and-roll.
Ayton is already LA's best center since at least 2018
Compared to the names that came before him, Ayton offers more athleticism than Gasol, more skill than Drummond, and more durability than Howard at that stage of his career. This is not to take anything away from what those veterans once were, or the roles they filled in limited bursts, but none of them were long-term solutions.
In contrast, Ayton still has room to grow and years left in his prime. That alone places him in a different category than any other true center the Lakers have employed during the LeBron window.
Of course, there will be pressure. Playing for this organization always brings expectations given how bright the lights are. The Lakers are clearly building a roster to suit Doncic, and this may be the kind of situation Ayton needed. He doesn't have to carry a big load, he just has to anchor the paint, play within himself, and complement the stars around him.
If he does that, the Lakers could finally have the interior presence they have long lacked, and Ayton could shed the inconsistency label that has followed him for years. Either way, the facts are hard to ignore: right now, this is the best true center Los Angeles has had in the LeBron era, and if things break right, it might not even be a discussion for much longer.