Lakers finally have a way out of the Deandre Ayton experiment

Deandre Ayton arrived in Los Angeles as a divisive figure. After a strong honeymoon to start the year, the Los Angeles Lakers center has firmly return to being just that. If the experience is becoming too much for the franchise to handle, a viable out is emerging ahead of the trade deadline.

Jakob Poeltl of the Toronto Raptors is available, according to the most recent drop of NBA intel from Michael Scotto. That is a name Lakers fans should be familiar with by now. Links between Los Angeles and Poeltl have dated back to at least last season.

Here, there was no direct connection made between Poeltl and any specific team. However, there was a clear confirmation that Toronto had a noted level of interest in seeing what their big man was worth to opposing franchises.

Scotto wrote, "Toronto has gauged the trade market on several players, including guard Immanuel Quickley as noted above, swingman RJ Barrett, and center Jakob Poeltl, league sources told HoopsHype."

Jakob Poeltl’s sudden availability gives Lakers a real alternative to Ayton

2025-26 has been far from Poeltl's best campaign as a pro. The Raptors center is averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game — when available.

That last caveat has suddenly become a huge one with Poeltl. The veteran center has dealt with injuries previously, but his back issues this season have been particularly troublesome. The Austrian center is well on his way to playing under 70 games yet again, and the quality of performances have suffered as a result of the ailments.

This all comes before even discussing Poeltl's new extension.

Toronto's center signed a new extension for $84.1 million that will kick in during the 2027-28 season. That is a big price tag, but Scotto did note a handful of that money is protected by contract incentives.

All of this is to say: Poeltl is not the sexiest out to Ayton. However, the option does exist if the Lakers truly find the situation impossible to manage as the calendar creeps closer to Feb. 5.

Conversations about Ayton's touches have entered the mix in Los Angeles. Why yes, that would be a collective gulp you're hearing. The Lakers need their starting center dialed-in and bringing effort. Without that version of the former first overall pick, things can get ugly in a hurry.

Los Angeles could ride this one out. If they kick the can on the center situation now, they can revisit it during the summer when a handful of attractive names could fall into their lap.

It all really depends on the urgency levels for the Lakers. Poeltl is imperfect. As is Ayton. The Lakers watching their frontcourt experiment go south could be worth the suffering in the long run. Otherwise, they can pull the plug before then, if they really want to.