The Los Angeles Lakers hoped they'd be able to unlock a new version of Deandre Ayton after signing him to a two-year deal over the offseason. Here we are with 26 regular-season games left on the schedule, though, and they're still waiting for that to happen.
It's gotten to the point where one fan on Reddit said that a less than 100% version of Anthony Davis would be better than Ayton. The same fan said that nothing annoys them more than when "a gifted player" doesn't try their best. Another fan chimed in, saying, "The amount of offensive rebounds he gives up is sickening." Another said they hoped Ayton "would put in more effort" playing alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Ayton isn't always engaged when he's on the floor. Look no further than Sunday's loss to the Celtics as proof. As JJ Redick pointed out after the game (subscription required), the Lakers had a five-on-four advantage when Jaylen Brown went to the floor, but Ayton still went "at about 20% speed." The coach specifically said the center could be better at running, rim pressure, and offensive rebounding.
Even players at the top of their game are always seeking ways to improve, but these aren't the kind of conversations we should be having at this point in the season about a former No. 1 pick.
Lakers' decision to take a flier on Deandre Ayton hasn't gone in their favor
Ayton is averaging a career-low 13 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, but he is shooting a career-high 66% from the field on 8.9 attempts per contest, which is a low for him (Redick did say the team needs to get him more touches). He's averaging 2.5 offensive boards per game, which, as you guessed it, is another low.
Los Angeles hoped that he'd anchor its defense down low, but the reality is that Jaxson Hayes has done a better job than Ayton. The former has a better defensive rating (114.5) than the latter (117.7), and overall, he's been a better rim protector. That shouldn't be the case.
The Lakers are back where they were at the end of last season — in need of a quality starting center. Ayton finding his way in LA was never a guarantee, but, especially given how his last stop ended, you'd think he would have approached his new situation with far greater urgency. He's shown flashes of the player the team needs him to be, but not nearly enough.
The 27-year-old has an $8.1 million player option he will probably pick up this summer, and when he does, Los Angeles needs to put an end to the Ayton experiment and try to find a trade.