The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads when it comes to their frontcourt rotation-and Deandre Ayton’s time in purple and gold may be running out faster than expected.
When the Lakers brought Ayton in, the move was seen as a short-term solution at the five. But even that might’ve been generous.
Less than two seasons into the experiment, Ayton is already finding himself on the bench in crucial moments, and not because of matchup decisions or foul trouble-it's a matter of effort and impact. That’s a tough pill for a team with championship aspirations and a generational talent like Luka Doncic running the show.
Ayton’s raw numbers this season-13.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game on a highly efficient 66.2% shooting-don’t tell the whole story. The production is there on paper, but in practice, the motor just hasn’t matched the moment.
The Lakers need more than stats. They need presence, urgency, and buy-in.
And right now, Ayton’s game is missing that edge.
This isn’t a new storyline. The same concerns followed Ayton in Phoenix and Portland: stretches of disengagement, lapses in effort, and inconsistency that leaves coaches and teammates guessing what version of him will show up on a given night. In Los Angeles, that kind of unpredictability just doesn’t cut it-especially when you're expected to complement a ball-dominant star like Doncic, who thrives with high-energy, rim-running bigs that can defend and rebound.
Look no further than Jaxson Hayes. He’s not putting up eye-popping numbers, but when he shares the floor with Luka, the offense flows, the defense holds up, and the energy level rises.
That’s the kind of synergy the Lakers are craving at the center position. Ayton, for all his talent, hasn’t provided that spark.
The financials only add to the urgency. Ayton holds an $8.1 million player option for next season, and if he picks it up-as most expect-the Lakers will almost certainly explore trade options.
The fit just hasn’t materialized. And with the Lakers eyeing a deep playoff run, they can’t afford to wait around and hope Ayton figures it out.
This could very well be Ayton’s last shot at proving he can anchor a frontcourt in a winning situation. But if the Lakers’ recent rotations are any indication, that window may already be closing. Don’t be surprised if he’s wearing a different jersey by the time training camp rolls around next fall.
The Lakers aren’t in the business of patience-they’re in the business of banners. And right now, it’s hard to see Ayton as part of that equation.