Deandre Ayton's arrival in Los Angeles helped grow a cautious optimism about the type of defensive presence that could be brought down low with his impact. The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled in several regards during the preseason thus far. That is not one of those areas.
JJ Redick shifted his defensive schemes to include more drop coverage in the tune-up games before the 2025-26 regular season gets underway. That adjustment has allowed Ayton an opportunity to be a much-needed game-changer on that end.
Ayton, himself, was open and honest about the fact that he had his fair share of defensive struggles in the past. The Lakers center admitted to having issues with consistency. Now in Los Angeles, the former first overall pick was ready to compete.
Four blocks have been racked up by Ayton in the first two preseason games for the Lakers. Beyond that, his positioning around the rim has been strong more often than not. Ayton has been getting his large frame in front of opponents to contest shots and force offensive players to pass up opportunities altogether. The (very) early signs here are promising.
Deandre Ayton finally providing Lakers with the interior presence they've been missing
The topic of Ayton's defense came up on a recent episode of Buha's Block. Jovan Buha and his guest, Khobi Price, were focused on the preseason thoughts thus far for the Lakers. This one was impossible to omit.
Buha said, "The rim protection has been awesome. ... He's made a real impact at the rim. ... You're seeing guys drive, get by the initial line of defense, and seeing Ayton in the vicinity. All of a sudden, they're doing the Steve Nash kind of dribbling out of the paint or looking for a kickout pass."
The Lakers are certainly no strangers to employing a transformative big man down low. Anthony Davis was just in Los Angeles.
Ayton, on his best day, does not compare to that kind of elite defensive presence. However, within the parameters of what the Lakers are asking him to do, the results have been good so far.
Granted, everyone should be far more interested to see what this experience looks like in the regular season, and more importantly, during the NBA Playoffs. However, preseason is when you get your feelers in on what can be expected for those parts of the campaign. Ayton is setting those expectations high from the start.