The Los Angeles Lakers signed Deandre Ayton after he cleared waivers, despite concerns about his maturity. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves absent, Ayton is looking to secure his future and prove his value on the team.
Lakers $16M veteran reportedly looking to save his future amid Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves absence originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers made the decision to sign Deandre Ayton after he cleared waivers in the summer. The move drew some criticism, as Ayton has at times been labeled a locker-room issue around the league due to concerns about his maturity.
“The word around the league is not good about Deandre Ayton... right now he's been labeled as a diva, as a cancer in the locker room... he has to change a lot about himself or he will find his career being shortened,” ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said.
To begin the season, it appeared Ayton had turned a corner while playing alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James. At one point, he was even considered one of the biggest steals of free agency.
“There is still a level of caution revolving around Deandre Ayton that is hard to shake. However, in the very early parts of the Ayton experience for the Los Angeles Lakers, it is likewise difficult to shake the present feeling that Rob Pelinka and the front office made the biggest steal of the summer,” Lake Show Life’s Syvatoslav Rovenchuk wrote. “The more Ayton continues to look like someone who can reliably fix the concerns of last season, the more his $8.1 million contract will stick out for its value. Not only will that be a bargain, it could be highway robbery by year's end.”
As the season progressed, however, some of those concerns began to resurface, and it now seems unlikely that Los Angeles will bring him back. Still, with Doncic and Reaves expected to miss most of the first round, Ayton has an opportunity to prove his value and potentially secure his future with the team.
“This playoff run calls for Ayton to produce at a higher quantity until Doncic and Austin Reaves are back. The Lakers will not even get far enough to see those returns without their big man in the middle performing like the double-double guy he was with the Suns. If Ayton plays his part in extending the playoff run for the Lakers, Pelinka would have reason to consider granting him another season in Los Angeles,” Rovenchuk wrote.
The Lakers face a difficult challenge against the Houston Rockets while shorthanded. They will need a strong presence in the paint—something Ayton is capable of providing.
Ayton is on a $16 million contract with the Lakers, split across two seasons. He has an opportunity to prove his worth in Los Angeles, and there is no better stage to do so than the playoffs, especially with his future on the line.
More NBA news:
The Lakers signed Deandre Ayton after he cleared waivers, hoping to benefit from his potential despite concerns about his locker-room behavior.
Deandre Ayton has been labeled a 'diva' and a 'cancer' in the locker room, raising doubts about his maturity and ability to fit in with the team.
Initially, Deandre Ayton appeared to be performing well alongside stars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, leading some to consider him a potential steal of free agency.
With Doncic and Reaves absent, Ayton has an opportunity to step up and prove his worth, which is crucial for securing his future with the Lakers.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.
Arshdeep Singh makes history as the first PBKS bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets!
California's top high school football prospects are on the move this weekend.
Viktor Hovland shines with a 64 at RBC Heritage, Gotterup scores 70.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.