If there was ever a time for Deandre Ayton to assert himself and get his touches with the Los Angeles Lakers, it would be now. Considering the need for stable and consistent offense behind LeBron James, Ayton scoring with regularity and playing off James' playmaking would be a gift.
The problem for the Lakers is that consistency has not exactly been the strong suit of their starting center throughout this campaign. JJ Redick admitted as much when speaking to reporters at Lakers practice, but it was not with ill intent. It was quite the opposite.
"The whole season for him has been about finding consistency. When he's at his best, we're an elite basketball team. That's just the reality. He raises our ceiling so much, and it's on both sides of the ball. ... Really good basketball player, and we're very happy with where he's at right now."
Redick added that while it is not all about scoring for Ayton, the Lakers do typically find themselves in the win column when he scores and shoots. That much is true and Los Angeles will need that regular dosage of offense when the Houston Rockets dare someone that is not LeBron to beat them.
Lakers are at their best when Deandre Ayton is making an impact
The Lakers are 13-1 in the 2025-26 season when Ayton scores at least 20 points. They are also 22-2 when their starting center scores at least 15 points. To Redick's point, when the former first overall pick is putting the ball in the basket, good things happen for the team.
There is an argument to be made here about those winning stats not specifically being owed to Ayton. The success rate here is more of a reflection regarding the Lakers stars (primarily Luka Doncic) successfully orchestrating the offense.
Even so, when both of those ends align, the Lakers win. This much will be up to James and Ayton in the first-round matchup.
LeBron will undoubtedly look for the best play available on most occasions, rather than forcing the issue with any one specific player. However, the Lakers will still need someone from the group of Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart to regularly provide secondary scoring.
The Lakers will hopefully get a version of Ayton who can offer resistance at the rim on the defensive end, which is a must as well. However, even if the matchups with the Rockets are coming down to a defensive dogfight, timely buckets will be crucial.
That will be the cue for the crunk juice to be drank, Ayton's hands to be steady and ready, and an attempt near the rim to find its way down through the hole.
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