After his regular season debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, fans are already beginning to turn on Deandre Ayton. Ayton has received criticism in each one of his NBA stops for his lack of effort and inconsistency, and that was on full display during the Lakers season opener.
Ayton struggled with turnovers and on the glass, having more turnovers than Luka Doncic and fewer rebounds too. Despite the obvious caveat that it's only one game, Ayton's performance was concerning and may give Lakers fans pause.
The frustrating thing about an opening night like this for the Lakers is that it we have the same conversations every October.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 22, 2025
Oh, the supporting shooting is shaky? They can't find a non-Anthony Davis center they can trust? Clearly a perimeter defender short? Is it 2025 or 2022?
After all, the Lakers desperately need Ayton to be at least a league-average center. Hopefully, even better, given just how much they need a capable center post, Anthony Davis.
The Lakers must maximize Deandre Ayton's potential
After flaming out with the Phoenix Suns—see what I did there-- and the Portland Trail Blazers, time is running out for Ayton to prove himself. He clearly needs motivation, and the Lakers appear to be the perfect place for that.
Coach JJ Redick clearly has no problem telling it like it is, and that should keep Ayton honest. Additionally, LeBron James has historically gotten the most out of role players. If he can work his magic with Ayton, then the Lakers may have gotten an incredibly talented center for just $8 million.
Better still, he is on a one-year deal, meaning that he has financial incentive to play as well as possible given that he is playing for a new contract. Even after wearing out his welcome with the Blazers, he still averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and nearly 1 block per game.
Luka Doncic is key to Deandre Ayton's Lakers' success
If he can boost his production to 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, he would more than give the Lakers what they need. For him to accomplish that, his effort level will have to be better, yes, but also his hands.
The Lakers are counting on Doncic to feed Ayton, giving him easy scoring opportunities. Doncic, himself, even mentioned that he needs to be better at delivering passes to Ayton after their season opener.
Deandre Ayton admitted he might be a “confusing”pick-and-roll target after Austin Reaves blamed some of his five turnovers for making the “wrong pass at the right time” in the two-man game with the new Lakers center pic.twitter.com/PFCgdd2kDG
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 22, 2025
Instead of lob passes, Ayton prefers pocket passes, which might explain some of his struggles in his regular season debut with the Lakers. Assuming Doncic can adjust and feed Ayton, and Ayton can be an effective finisher and rebounder, then he could quickly bounce back. The Lakers definitely hope that that will be the case.