What Deandre Ayton said about his future after Lakers get swept

What Ayton's playoff performance against OKC means for his decision

Ayton was strong in the first round against Houston, averaging a double-double while defending All-Star center Alperen Sengun effectively.

But in the Thunder series, it was a different story. He averaged just 7.7 points and 9.3 rebounds in the first three games while shooting 39.3% from the field, and was thoroughly outplayed by Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

His six-point output in the finale will not help his leverage in free agency if he opts out.

Some analysts advise the Lakers should move on from Ayton, though $8.1 million for a healthy 27-year-old center with his physical profile still carries value on any roster.

Ayton saying he loves it in Los Angeles is not nothing. The franchise has treated him well, JJ Redick expressed repeated confidence in him even through rough stretches, and the structure around him was about as good as it gets.

Remember vividly last summer, he was described as filling the Lakers' most glaring offensive need, particularly alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Now, both are gone from the active roster picture, either through injury or uncertainty, which makes the environment he is returning to look quite different. His agents will have thoughts. He said he trusts them.

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