The Los Angeles Lakers would not be where they are without Deandre Ayton. With Luka Doncic and LeBron James driving the offense, Ayton has been a major reason the Lakers have delivered an above-average and season so far (standing-wise).
His efficiency has been excellent, especially as a finisher in lineups built around elite playmaking. This is not a case of disappointment or regret. It is a case of timing, roster construction, his weaknesses, and a looming trade deadline forcing hard but necessary decisions.
Ayton’s efficiency is real, but the roster is changing
Ayton has done exactly what was asked of him offensively. He has converted at a high rate, punished mismatches, and given the Lakers reliable scoring when plays are run through him. His value around the league has quietly increased because efficiency at the center position is never easy to find.
The problem is not what Ayton does well. It is what the Lakers now need more urgently and what he lacks. They rank among the lowest teams in three-point production and defensive efficiency, two areas that become glaring weaknesses in playoff basketball.
With Austin Reaves returning from injury, Ayton’s offensive role is likely to shrink even further. Between Doncic, LeBron, and Reaves, touches will be concentrated on the perimeter. That makes Ayton’s nights more volatile, especially when effort dips or transition defense becomes an issue.
The Lakers need a center who opens and closes space
The Lakers’ recent decision to call up Kobe Bufkin from the G League is telling. They are actively searching for three-and-D solutions, players who can open space offensively and close it defensively.
That same logic applies to the center position. The ideal big is not one who needs the ball to be effective, but one who creates space through screening, movement, and unselfish play, while anchoring the defense with effort and positioning.
Jaxson Hayes fits well into that identity from the bench. He runs the floor, protects the rim with energy, and has built strong chemistry with Doncic both on and off the court. Hayes is staying, and the next center must harmonize with him rather than compete for the same role.
Why a trade helps both sides
This is where Ivica Zubac and Jakob Poeltl enter the picture. Both offer lower usage, higher defensive reliability, and the ability to stabilize lineups without demanding touches. Both of their teams struggle, and they might be moved.
Zubac brings physical rebounding and interior toughness, allowing Hayes to remain an energy weapon. Poeltl offers elite screening, quick decision making, and defensive discipline that fits seamlessly next to ball dominant stars.
For Ayton, a trade is not a demotion. It is an opportunity. His efficiency would shine even brighter on a roster built to feature him more consistently, where his offensive strengths complement the system rather than conflict with it.
The Lakers are not looking to undo what has worked. They are trying to finish the job. With the trade deadline approaching, this is about maximizing a real contention window, not assigning blame.
Ayton helped get them here. Now both sides may benefit from finding the right next step.