For once, Deandre Ayton is positioned to get everything he ever wanted from the Los Angeles Lakers. With no Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the offense has to come from somewhere. This golden opportunity that should have never even come Ayton's way is being squandered.
Ayton once believed himself to be a star before finally looking in the mirror and coming to terms with the Clint Capela role that Los Angeles wanted to get out of him. Well, JJ Redick and the Lakers are ready to give their starting center added scoring opportunities. Ayton has not been ready to convert.
Redick said: "He's had trouble catching the ball. So, we've ran a bunch of plays for him, he's just had trouble catching the ball. I don't know if that's the passing or if it's him trying to get position, he just, he hasn't been able to catch the ball."
This was in response to a reporter following up on Redick saying he would have some new stuff for Ayton in the offense. That much was hard to see in the Lakers' lopsided 123-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. In defense of the second-year coach, it is difficult to add those new wrinkles when the player who they are designed for is not doing his part to execute.
Lakers need Deandre Ayton to have yet another moment of looking in the mirror
Since the disastrous evening that unraveled the Lakers' season, Ayton has gotten two opportunities for a bigger role in the offense. Both have been underwhelming.
The first of the two saw the Lakers post 128 points in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Ayton only accounted for 13 of those, shooting 5-of-9 from the field. The starting center was largely outplayed by his backup, Jaxson Hayes. That has been all too regular of an occurrence in 2025-26.
Things looked even worse against the Thunder. 23 minutes of action, four field goal attempts, one made bucket — Ayton finished the game with just three points.
The Lakers' desperately need to find a consistent and solid second option behind LeBron James for the portion of this season that will be played without Doncic and Reaves. If they want to extend the campaign, someone has to step up.
It sure sounds like the opportunity to be the star that Ayton has always envisioned himself as is there. The Lakers would even welcome it right now. With the lights bright and the stage set, the former first overall pick has folded thus far. Redick and the fanbase can only hope for change from here.