Deandre Ayton’s arrival in Los Angeles came with more questions than answers. Could he adapt to a new system?
Would he buy into a role that didn’t revolve around him? And most importantly - could he finally tap into the potential that made him a No. 1 overall pick?
A few weeks into the season, Ayton isn’t just answering those questions - he’s rewriting the narrative altogether.
Ayton called his move to the Lakers an opportunity to “prove the world wrong,” and so far, he’s doing just that. His performance against the Mavericks was a snapshot of everything the Lakers hoped for - and maybe more. Ayton dropped 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and looked every bit the two-way force the Lakers have been missing at the five since Anthony Davis shifted away from full-time center duties.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. What’s really standing out is how seamlessly Ayton has fit into JJ Redick’s system - and how much he’s embraced the nuances of his role. After the win over Dallas, Redick gave a glimpse into their ongoing dialogue, highlighting a key conversation they had earlier that day.
“I had a great conversation with [Ayton] this morning,” Redick said. “It was essentially [that] he’s doing a great job of understanding how the offense is being run and who the offense is being run through and then playing off of that, which we saw tonight.”
That kind of self-awareness - knowing when to assert himself and when to complement others - is exactly what Ayton has lacked in past stops. But in L.A., he’s learning to pick his spots, and the Lakers are reaping the benefits.
Redick also pointed to Ayton’s ability to exploit mismatches, especially against smaller defenders. In the first half, Ayton sealed off Cooper Flagg for an easy bucket in a physical post-up.
Later, he found space against the zone and scored over PJ Washington. These are the kinds of plays that don’t just show up in the box score - they change the complexion of a game.
“That’s a dynamic that we didn’t have at the end of last season,” Redick noted. “So his importance in understanding that and for our guys understanding that… using his size and his nimbleness and his strength and all the stuff that makes him who he is, using that against switching defenses is going to be really important.”
This version of Ayton - the one who sets hard screens, rolls with purpose, punishes mismatches, and rebounds with urgency - gives the Lakers a level of versatility they’ve been searching for. He’s not just a big body in the paint; he’s a functional part of the offense, especially in the short roll, where his decision-making and touch have been on full display.
Even coming off a knee contusion, Ayton stepped right back into the starting lineup and didn’t miss a beat. That’s not just physical resilience - that’s a sign of a player who understands what’s expected and is locked in on delivering it.
Ayton is averaging 8.9 rebounds per game, leading the team in that category, and his scoring has been both efficient and timely. But just as important has been his attitude. He’s bought into Redick’s vision, and the chemistry he’s building with his teammates is starting to show on the floor.
Right now, Ayton doesn’t need to be a 25-point-per-night guy. What he’s doing - screening, rolling, rebounding, defending, and staying engaged even when the offense isn’t running through him - is exactly what the Lakers need. And if he keeps this up, it’s hard not to view his signing as one of the smartest moves the Lakers front office made this offseason.
Ayton isn’t trying to be the star - he’s trying to be the difference. And so far, he’s doing just that.