Paul Pierce On Lakers' Ceiling With Deandre Ayton: ‘Second Round At Best'
In the aftermath of the Deandre Ayton trade, Lakers fans are feeling pretty good about their chances to make a run next season. NBA legend Paul Pierce, however, is unconvinced that Ayton will make a significant difference. According to Pierce, the Lakers are only a second-round playoff team as presently constructed.
"He definitely fills a need for the Lakers, but I'm not sure if he's the answer in winning a championship," said Pierce on 'Speak.' "If you would have told me they're getting the Joker or Antetokounmpo, then I would have been like 'Oh they should be the favorites' but since they're still trying to find a guy who is still trying to find his way in the NBA, he's been on multiple teams, this being his third team in six years being the number one pick and not really finding a home. I'm not sure how much he pushes the needle. So what's the Lakers' ceiling with Deandre Ayton? I think they're still in need of more athleticism and more defense on the perimeter. I think they're a second-round ceiling."
Everything changed for the Lakers after the acquisition of Luka Doncic in February. The deal simultaneously shifted the team's timeline and their balance of power. Overnight, the Lakers became Luka's team, and Rob Pelinka scrambled to get him a worthy center.
It wasn't until the acquisition of Deandre Ayton this July that the Lakers finally found their man. As a former No. 1 overall pick, Ayton has the potential to change the entire trajectory of the Lakers, and he's probably one of the most naturally gifted centers that Luka will get to play with.
With career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, he has solid stats and great size with the potential to dominate games under the rim. Since his arrival in Los Angeles, he has shown a renewed dedication to winning as JJ Redick, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic have vowed to bring out the best in him.
The only problem is that Ayton has a long history of disappointment. Despite carrying big expectations out of college (and after the draft), he failed to get it done in Phoenix and left on bad terms with the organization after a brutal playoff defeat at the hands of the Nuggets. From the start, critics recognized his poor work ethic, weak defensive effort, and lack of focus from game to game.
Things only got worse once he was traded to the Trail Blazers. Even on a team with no pressure to succeed, Ayton couldn't find his place. As his stats dipped on the court, his immaturity in the locker room was driving teammates away, and it ultimately led to his exit from the franchise after just two seasons.
If the Lakers are going to compete with the likes of the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder, they'll need more than raw talent—they'll need buy-in, maturity, and defensive grit from their big man. Paul Pierce isn't the only one questioning whether Ayton can deliver that. For now, the pressure is on. Ayton has another fresh start and a chance to change the narrative. The only question is, will he?This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"It's all metrics, it has nothing to do with our feelings" - Gilbert Arenas on Steph Curry ranking higher than Kobe Bryant in the top 100 list
"It's all metrics, it has nothing to do with our feelings" - Gilbert Arenas on Steph Curry ranking higher than Kobe Bryant in the top 100 list originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Bleacher Report recently unveiled its list of the top 100 players in NBA history, fans across the basketball world were stunned by what many viewed as blatant disrespect towards Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba was ranked just outside the top 10, landing at No. 11, one spot behind Stephen Curry. While the majority of fans consider Kobe to be a better all-around player, a bigger inspiration, a more idolized figure and a more accomplished legend than Steph, Gilbert Arenas wasn't surprised by the ranking. In fact, he explained why fans should question the metrics used for such rankings instead of doubting the greatness of any player placed above KB24. Gil reacts to Steph being placed ahead of Kobe in the Top 100 list Aside from the fact that Kobe has more championships (five to Curry's four) and one more Finals MVP, he also boasts seven additional All-Star selections, two more All-Star Game MVPs and four more All-NBA selections than Steph. Kob' ranks fourth in total points (including the postseason and regular season), is tied for second in total All-NBA selections. The late Laker legend is also third in overall All-Star nods and third in 40-point games. Such stats reinforce the depth of his resume and why fans often hold him highly in the GOAT conversation. Although many argue that Bryant was the second coming of Michael Jordan, while Curry revolutionized the modern game with his 3-point shooting, Arenas pointed out that the latter's higher placement in the rankings is clearly based on modern metrics. Fans shouldn't let that influence their personal views or emotional connection to either player. "It's easier if you follow the same metrics that I follow. MVP? You get 1000 points. Scoring title? You get 900 (points). First Team All-Offense? You get 800 (points)," Arenas said. "Then, you kinda see how they came up with it. Hence why, last month, because of the metric, I said when the new list comes out, I said Kobe fans and Curry fans… not real Kobe fans. But Kobe-Kobe fans. It's two different people… Kobe-Kobe fans and Curry fans are about to be at war because I looked at the criteria, I'm counting Steph's points, and I'm like, 'Ah! S–t!' It's all metrics, man, it has nothing to do with our feelings," the retired guard Kobe have been ahead of Steph? If the argument against Kobe's ranking is based on the idea that he won three of his titles as a sidekick to Shaquille O'Neal, then it is only fair to bring up that Steph's championship path was significantly boosted by the presence of Kevin Durant. Without KD joining the Golden State Warriors, there's no guarantee that Steph would have secured the 2017 and 2018 titles, especially after how the Cleveland Cavaliers stole the title from his grasp a year before. Even when the Warriors did win, it was Durant who earned Finals MVP honors both times. Nevertheless, while debates and narratives can be shaped to support either side, whether one thinks Kobe should be higher or Steph deserves the edge, the truth is that both players are not just among the most accomplished in NBA history, but also among the most influential. They have each inspired generations with their game and drawn millions of fans towards the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Golden State Warriors jersey history - No. 20 - Jon Barry (1995-96)
The Golden State Warriors have had over 600 players don the more than 60 jersey numbers used by their players over the more than 75 years of existence the team has enjoyed in its rich and storied history. Founded in 1946 during the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- a precursor league of the NBA) era, the team has called home the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, and even San Diego. To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Warriors Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. For this article, we begin with the first of 29 players who wore the No. 20 jersey for the Warriors. That player would be Golden State guard alum Jon Barry. After ending his college career at Georgia Tech, Barry was picked up with the 21st overall selection of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. The Oakland, California native would play the first three seasons of his pro career with the Milwaukee Bucks instead after being dealt there by Boston after refusing to sign with the team. He signed with the Dubs in 1995 after that stint ended, and played a single season with them before signing with the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Barry wore only jersey No. 20 and put up 3.8 points and 1.3 assists per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Former Nets G James Harden picks KD, Kyrie Irving for starting 5
The Brooklyn Nets are heading into the 2025-26 NBA season in which they will be going through the second year of their latest full-scale rebuild under general manager Sean Marks. Brooklyn aren't expected to compete for a championship this upcoming season, but it wasn't too long ago when they had three some of the best players in the league. "That point guard position is crazy. You got CP (Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul), you got Russ (Russell Westbrook), and you got Kyrie (Irving). That is hard. Let me just go Kyrie, Russ, me, KD (Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant), and Joel (Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers center)," Clippers guard James Harden said in an interview with content creator FaZe Lacy. It's not surprising to see the starting five of teammates that Harden picked. Harden, 35, has spent time throughout his 16-year career playing with some of the best players in the NBA, including Durant and Irving during their time with the Nets. During the 2020-21 season, Harden was traded from the Rockets to Brooklyn to play with Durant and Irving in the hopes of leading the franchise to its first championship while allowing Harden to win his first title. Harden, Durant, and Irving were able to take the Nets to the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, but eventually fell to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games. The 2021-22 season presented another chance for the trio to pay off what Marks invested in bringing Harden to Brooklyn, but the partnership ended fairly quickly as Harden was traded to the 76ers at the trade deadline. Harden went on to play with Embiid for parts of two seasons, but the superstar duo were unable to get past the second of the playoffs in their two seasons together. While Harden has yet to have championship success with a teammate, outside of Durant and Westbrook during their time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the former Arizona State Sun Devil still looks back on his time with those players in a positive light.
