In the ever-evolving chess game of NBA roster management, the Golden State Warriors made a savvy move by opting for veteran Al Horford over the potential allure of Deandre Ayton. While Ayton, a former top pick, seemed like a tempting choice after his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Warriors' decision to focus on Horford is proving wise, especially in light of recent revelations about Ayton's stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin recently unveiled a series of eyebrow-raising anecdotes from Ayton's time with the Lakers. The coaching staff, in a bid to ignite Ayton’s passion and effort, resorted to some creative tactics. They wrapped his water bottle in athletic tape, branding it with "DA's Crunk Juice -- Drink this to unleash the beast," hoping to tap into his full potential.
Despite Ayton's respectable stats of 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds on 66.7% shooting, the Lakers have struggled with him on the court. This has sparked debate over whether Ayton or Jaxson Hayes should be the team's primary big man.
Meanwhile, Horford has quietly become the steady presence the Warriors needed. Overcoming a slow start and an early back injury, he has been instrumental since his return on Christmas Day, averaging 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks, while shooting over 38% from beyond the arc. His impact is undeniable, with Golden State boasting a +73 point differential during his minutes on the floor.
The Warriors' only regret might be that Horford's contributions won't be showcased in a deep playoff run this season, thanks to Jimmy Butler's season-ending injury. However, with Horford holding a player option for next season, there’s optimism that they can make a stronger push when Butler is back in action.
As for Ayton, the recent revelations didn’t seem to fuel a turnaround, as he managed just two points and four rebounds in a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns. For the Warriors, the choice of Horford over Ayton is looking like a masterstroke in their quest for another championship run.