Deandre Ayton’s Role with the Lakers Is Shifting - and a Trade Could Make Sense for Everyone
Deandre Ayton has been quietly effective for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. In a lineup powered by the star duo of Luka Dončić and LeBron James, Ayton has carved out a role as a dependable interior presence - finishing plays, punishing mismatches, and giving the Lakers a reliable scoring option in the paint. He’s done exactly what’s been asked of him, and he’s done it efficiently.
But as the trade deadline looms and the Lakers eye a deeper playoff run, the conversation around Ayton isn’t about disappointment. It’s about fit, timing, and what this roster needs to take the next step.
Ayton’s Efficiency Isn’t the Issue - It’s the Fit
Let’s be clear: Ayton’s production hasn’t been a problem. He’s been a high-efficiency finisher in an offense built around elite playmakers. That kind of output is valuable, especially from the center position, where consistent scoring without high usage is hard to come by.
The challenge is that the Lakers are evolving - and so are their needs.
This team ranks near the bottom of the league in both three-point shooting and defensive efficiency. Those are two areas that become especially critical in the postseason, where spacing and stops often decide series. Ayton, for all his strengths, doesn’t address those gaps.
With Austin Reaves returning from injury, the Lakers’ perimeter rotation is getting more crowded. Between Dončić, LeBron, and Reaves, touches are going to be concentrated on the outside. That’s going to naturally shrink Ayton’s offensive role, making his nights more unpredictable - especially if defensive effort or transition coverage starts to lag.
The Lakers Are Looking for a Different Kind of Big
The recent call-up of Kobe Bufkin from the G League wasn’t just a depth move - it was a signal. The Lakers are actively looking for players who can stretch the floor on offense and lock down on defense. That same philosophy applies to the center spot.
The ideal big for this version of the Lakers isn’t a post-up scorer. It’s someone who creates space by screening hard, moving without the ball, playing unselfishly, and anchoring the defense with energy and awareness.
That’s where Jaxson Hayes comes in. Off the bench, he’s been exactly that - a high-motor rim protector who runs the floor, plays within himself, and has built real chemistry with Dončić.
Hayes isn’t going anywhere. The next center the Lakers bring in needs to complement that style, not compete with it.
Why a Trade Could Work - For Both Sides
That brings us to the trade market, where names like Ivica Zubac and Jakob Poeltl are starting to surface. Both fit the mold of what the Lakers are looking for: low-usage, high-IQ bigs who defend, screen, and keep the offense humming without needing the ball in their hands.
Zubac offers physical rebounding and toughness inside - the kind of presence that would allow Hayes to keep flying around as an energy guy. Poeltl brings elite screening, quick reads, and the kind of defensive discipline that fits perfectly next to high-usage stars like Dončić and LeBron.
For Ayton, a trade wouldn’t be a step back. It could be a chance to thrive in a system that leans into his strengths.
He’s shown he can be efficient and productive when featured. On a team built to run through him more consistently, his value could shine even brighter.
This isn’t about undoing what’s worked. Ayton has helped the Lakers get to this point. But with the playoff picture in focus and the deadline approaching, it’s about maximizing the window - not pointing fingers.
A move could help the Lakers find the right piece for a title push. And it could give Ayton the opportunity to be a focal point again.
Sometimes, the right next step is about more than just talent. It’s about fit, timing, and making the most of the moment.