The Lakers may have found their future in Luka Dončić, but questions continue to swirl around one key piece of the puzzle: Deandre Ayton. Despite being a former No. 1 overall pick and still just 27 years old, Ayton hasn't quite clicked in Los Angeles-and the clock might be ticking on his time in purple and gold.
Through 40 games this season, Ayton is averaging 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. On the surface, those numbers aren’t disastrous.
But when you’re sharing the floor with two elite playmakers in Dončić and LeBron James, expectations are naturally higher. The Lakers brought Ayton in hoping he’d be a dependable interior presence-someone who could thrive as a pick-and-roll finisher, anchor the paint on defense, and provide consistent energy.
So far, that vision hasn’t materialized.
Last season with Portland, Ayton posted slightly better numbers-14.4 points and 10.2 boards per game. But even then, questions about his motor and fit persisted. Now, in a Lakers system designed to maximize bigs who can run the floor, set hard screens, and finish strong at the rim, Ayton has struggled to assert himself.
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported that Ayton isn’t seen as a long-term solution at center by those inside the Lakers organization. That’s a telling statement, especially considering the franchise has clearly begun to pivot toward building around Dončić for the future. When Fischer says Ayton isn’t viewed as the kind of rim-running, lob-catching big who can grow old alongside Luka in Hollywood, it reinforces what many have seen on the court: a talented player who hasn’t quite found his rhythm or role.
Jovan Buha, who covers the Lakers closely, echoed similar concerns on a December episode of his YouTube show Buha’s Block. “I think we’re hitting a dangerous place with Deandre Ayton,” Buha said.
“I would say I’m probably at DEFCON 3 with Ayton.” That kind of language isn’t thrown around lightly.
It suggests the team is running out of patience.
And timing hasn’t helped Ayton’s case. With Austin Reaves sidelined for nearly a month, the Lakers needed someone to step up.
Ayton had a golden opportunity to make a statement, to show he could carry more of the load. Instead, his production dipped.
Over the past 15 games, he’s averaging just 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, with only one 20-point performance in that stretch. For a player with Ayton’s physical gifts, that’s underwhelming.
Criticism has come from outside the locker room too. Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back after the Lakers’ 116-110 win over the Mavericks, calling Ayton’s effort “disturbing” on Road Trippin’.
“He does nothing athletically,” Perkins said. “He’s not going to lunge for basketballs, he’s not going to make the extra effort, like I just don’t get it.”
Harsh words, but they reflect a growing sentiment around the league-that Ayton’s motor hasn’t matched his talent.
The numbers back it up. In that win over Dallas, Ayton logged 23 minutes and finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
The next night, he played 22 minutes and managed just six points and two rebounds. Fortunately for LA, Dončić went nuclear with 46 points to carry the load.
But relying on Luka to bail the team out every night isn’t sustainable.
The Lakers are in a pivotal stretch of the season. With the trade deadline looming and playoff positioning on the line, every game-and every rotation decision-matters.
Ayton still has time to flip the narrative, but the window is narrowing. If he can’t find a way to impact games more consistently, the Lakers may be forced to look elsewhere for their long-term answer at center.
For now, the spotlight stays on Ayton. The talent is there. The question is whether he can tap into it before the Lakers decide to move on.