Is Deandre Ayton going to be benched by the Los Angeles Lakers? Probably not. Should he be? Now, that's a whole other discussion that could have a much different response.
One standout insight into the locker room from Dave McMenamin's latest write-up for ESPN regarding Ayton is rubbing everyone in Los Angeles the wrong way on Thursday. For those who missed it, the Lakers center proudly and loudly proclaimed he wasn't Clint Capela.
Out of context, that may seem like an odd statement to make. What most have made out from that sentiment was Ayton showing frustrations with the role which the Lakers are trying to get him to play. Stop me if you've heard that one before. Well, don't actually stop me, because that has happened in the past and would force a halt to this article.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, who would (probably) much rather have either the original Houston Rockets or Atlanta Hawks version of Capela, their starting center does not appear bought in on what the team needs from him moving forward. The rapidly devolving situation comes as a massive letdown after showing initial promise at the beginning of the year.
For the Lakers, at this point, it could really be as simple as this: if you don't want to fulfill the job description, get stripped of the job.
Lakers might be better off demoting Deandre Ayton to the bench
Perhaps Ayton felt empowered knowing Jaxson Hayes is managing an ankle injury. That allowed the starting center to throw his weight around a little bit since there was no one really behind him to take his spot. However, Hayes should be back shortly.
The backup big man is listed as probable for the upcoming matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Hayes will soon be back in the fold.
Lakers injury report for tomorrow against the Suns: pic.twitter.com/QHeWimHTk4
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) February 26, 2026
Why does that matter? Well, because with Hayes you get a lot of the things you do not with Ayton. The Lakers backup center provides consistent energy, effort, and a willingness to do whatever is asked of him. It's a nice change of pace whenever Hayes enters the ball game.
Denying that Ayton has talent would be the wrong message to send. That has just never matched the perception of who he may believe himself to be. This is a great time to remind everyone the Portland Trail Blazers are paying him a lot of money to not be a part of their franchise.
The Lakers fell on that sword since his buyout and, to some capacity, might just want a refund. Perhaps there is still a way out here.
Ayton has a player option coming up for the 2026-27 season. Logically, the former first overall pick would be wise to pick it up. No one is going to pay him more than $8.1 million in the upcoming free agency period. That leaves the Lakers in a bind and with a problem they need to rid themselves of.
It's clear as day to anyone that Ayton will not be the long-term solution in Los Angeles at center. Is he even a worthwhile stopgap is the question some will ask.
Hayes as the starter would be imperfect, but at least there are clear expectations set for what he brings. If benching Ayton makes his low motor even worse, are Maxi Kleber minutes really that bad?
Some may immediately scoff at that thought. Kleber is a relative non-factor on offense, sure, but at least the veteran big man provides a dependable defensive presence.
Perhaps this is all a touch premature. Realistically, the probability of the Lakers actually benching Ayton is low, given all the nuance. However, when someone tells you who they are over and over, it is never a bad idea to listen. In his own words, Ayton is not Capela, and that is not the flex he thinks it is.