Latest news with #Ayton
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Paul Pierce On Lakers' Ceiling With Deandre Ayton: ‘Second Round At Best'
Paul Pierce On Lakers' Ceiling With Deandre Ayton: 'Second Round At Best' originally appeared on Fadeaway World. 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Legend Challenges Deandre Ayton To Make His Country Proud Ahead Of Debut Season
Lakers Legend Challenges Deandre Ayton To Make His Country Proud Ahead Of Debut Season originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers made an important move by signing Deandre Ayton in free agency. Having addressed their most pressing concern, the Purple and Gold now expect him to deliver. Lakers legend Mychal Thompson spoke about these expectations on "Hoop Talk with Allen Silwa". Thompson addressed what it meant to be a Laker and to wear the jersey. By doing so, he also presented a challenge for Ayton to fulfill during his debut season with the team. He said: "It comes down to Deandre Ayton and how bad he wants it. If he wants to be an All-Star caliber center, he might not make the All-Star team, but if he wants to play at that level, the Lakers will be a serious threat to beat Oklahoma City next year. "If Deandre wants to take his game up to 20 points, 12 rebounds a game, kind of center, the Lakers can contend for a championship… how easy is that to do? You should be able to do that every night at 27 years of age, coming into his prime." Thompson even broke down how his statistical contributions could be split up into quarters. With five points and three rebounds a quarter, Ayton would effectively average 20 and 12, making him a legitimate All-Star caliber center. Thompson effectively set a target for the 27-year-old big man. Given the extent of his abilities, Ayton is more than capable of achieving these numbers. But Thompson made a great point of addressing that it has to be something he wants. The motivation has to be internal. The Lakers legend also addressed how important it is for Ayton to play hard because of his origins. As a native of the Bahamas himself, Thompson said: "The Lakers are the Bahamas's favorite team... And now one of their native sons has a chance to put on a Laker uniform." Thompson elaborated on the level of popularity and attention Ayton would receive back home, adding that Ayton would be aware of that. In light of this, he added: "So if all that doesn't motivate him to want to make his countrymen proud, then there's nothing that can be done. But I think he will understand the enormous opportunity he has here and the responsibility he has now being a Laker center." Last season, the big man recorded an average of 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds with the Portland Trail Blazers. When considering the kind of talent he was surrounded by and the limited number of games he played in, it is evident that he didn't maximize his potential. In Los Angeles, however, things will be different. The conditions for Ayton to be effective are in place. Paired with a capable playmaking guard like Luka Doncic, who can bring out the best in him, the 27-year-old has all the tools needed to be successful. It is simply a matter of desire. The Lakers will certainly look to Ayton as a significant contributor in their starting rotation. As their primary big man option, the 27-year-old will be tasked with completing a lot of key plays on both ends of the floor. Should he succeed in doing his job, the Purple and Gold could be a very threatening side in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Udonis Haslem Explains Why Lakers Won't Get The Best Out Of Deandre Ayton
Udonis Haslem Explains Why Lakers Won't Get The Best Out Of Deandre Ayton originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Entering this offseason, acquiring a quality starting-caliber center was the top priority for the Los Angeles Lakers, and they addressed that need by signing Deandre Ayton. It's a move that has split opinion, and former NBA player Udonis Haslem shared his thoughts on it on the OGs Show. "I like Deandre Ayton, but that man want to get to his spot and jab and shoot," Haslem said. "... He's not getting the ball. Your a** got to roll and catch lobs and play defense. The ball is going to Luka [Doncic], then [LeBron James], and Austin Reaves. Nobody giving him the ball to get in the mid-range and do all this s***. "That's not to say he can't do that," Haslem continued. "But that's not what unlocks the best version of their best players, and that's not what they need. I like the size because they need size. Rim protector, they need that." Ayton is a good rim-running lob threat, but as Haslem pointed out, he likes to step outside and hit that mid-range shot more than anything else. He also operates in the post, but won't be getting too many opportunities to do either of those things. Ayton's role on offense is going to be basically reduced to catching lobs, as Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves will be the ones running the show. Their presence will lead to the big man getting some easy baskets, but you won't be seeing the very best version of him. You could argue that some other players would be better suited to the role Ayton will be asked to play on the Lakers. To go along with all that we said about the offense, he isn't exactly the kind of defensive anchor that this team needs either. Ayton can potentially do a solid job on that end of the floor, though. His motor is often cited as the biggest issue, and it will be interesting to see if the Lakers' coaching staff is able to fix that. Team sources reportedly believe that head coach JJ Redick can turn Ayton into their perfect center. "Team sources believe the Lakers have the right coaching staff to make that happen. In JJ Redick, they have a deadly serious head coach who also understands how to relate to players," wrote Dan Woike of The Athletic. "Assistant Scott Brooks worked with Ayton in Portland two years ago, and Nate McMillan has either played or coached with or against virtually every personality type the NBA's ever concocted. And if not, the Lakers have maintained their flexibility for next summer and beyond." The Lakers only gave Ayton a two-year, $16 million deal, so there isn't a lot of risk involved here. They can cut ties fairly easily if this partnership doesn't work out. If it does, though, we will look at this as quite a bargain. Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2024-25. The 27-year-old has heard all the outside noise and is determined to prove the doubters wrong. He is ready to win a championship with the Lakers. Paul Pierce, though, doesn't believe Ayton's arrival makes the Lakers a title-winning team. They aren't among the favorites even now, but a lot will depend on how well Doncic plays. He also wanted Ayton on the team, and it will be interesting to see how well this partnership works in story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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The Lakers Should Make These 2 Moves To Complete Their Offseason Roster Building Project
The Lakers Should Make These 2 Moves To Complete Their Offseason Roster Building Project originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers have had a largely fruitful offseason. Along with some key additions to the roster, the Lakers have also successfully locked in their superstar, Luka Doncic, for the foreseeable future. By addressing the majority of their needs, the Purple and Gold find themselves in a much more balanced position moving forward. With a solid roster in place and two superstars who share a common goal, the Lakers are ready to compete. But with championship aspirations in mind, there is some skepticism about the Lakers' ability to truly contend. While additions like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart undoubtedly help, the Western Conference next season will be crowded with competitive teams vying for the top spot. To address this, the Purple and Gold may need to make a few more moves to reinforce their overall roster strength. It is also important to keep a roster spot open for a potential midseason buyout signing. Thus, we look at two moves the Lakers should make to ensure their offseason efforts result in success during the regular season. Trade For Robert Williams III The Lakers' biggest issue heading into the offseason was their lack of a big man rotation. Although they addressed it by signing Ayton and re-signing Hayes, the team could still use another reliable big man. Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Robert Williams III Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber have been the primary assets mentioned in recent Lakers trade rumors. Knecht has garnered some interest due to his potential as a sharpshooter and scoring ability. Meanwhile, Kleber's $11.0 expiring contract could be viewed favorably by a team like the Portland Trail Blazers. This deal is aligned with the team's needs. Robert Williams III could prove to be a tremendous backup center to Ayton, should the Lakers succeed in acquiring him. The 27-year-old has all the makings of a key rotational center. Injuries hindered his performances last season, as he only appeared in 20 games for the Blazers. But he still put up an average of 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. The former Celtics big man has prior playoff experience, having even made it to the NBA Finals in 2022. He has demonstrated his athletic ability as well, making him an ideal fit in the Lakers' system. Most importantly, Williams has showcased impressive defensive upside. His athleticism and strength allow him to establish himself on the low block and become an effective rim protector. This could be vital in the Lakers' second unit once Ayton is off the floor. The biggest concern with this trade is his injury-prone nature. When considering that he has only played in a total of 26 games over the last two seasons, the Lakers could be taking a risk by acquiring him. Sign Kevin Love In The Event Of A Buyout By completing the trade for Robert Williams III, the Lakers would effectively clear up two roster spots, allowing them to make one more signing before starting the season. In this event, signing Kevin Love could be in their best interests. Love was traded from the Miami Heat to the Utah Jazz this offseason. The speculation is that the Jazz will buy out Love's contract soon, making him a free agent. Given the former champion's preference for a glamor market like Los Angeles, the Lakers would be wise to pursue him. The five-time All-Star could be a good addition for several reasons. While he hasn't been a lethal offensive threat, he remains a solid rebounder and floor-spacing big man. Last season, he recorded an average of 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 35.8% from beyond the arc. He only averaged 10.9 minutes per game. When considering the kind of role he would be asked to fulfill, Love would effectively be a replacement for Maxi Kleber. His existing chemistry with LeBron James would help ease his transition into the rotation, allowing him to be effective sooner. Love brings a lot of veteran leadership and championship experience to the team. This could be quite valuable for the Lakers as they prepare to mount a title charge in the upcoming season. Can The Lakers Contend For The Title? The Purple and Gold will be a more balanced team heading into the next season. With depth in key positions, the Lakers will certainly be a more competitive team. However, their ability to contend for the title will depend upon the performance of their new players, as well as their stars. In light of his offseason conditioning, Doncic is poised to have an MVP-caliber season if he can sustain this form. Meanwhile, the contributions of players such as Smart and Ayton will be essential in shoring up the secondary scoring and the defense. If health isn't a concern, the Lakers could be a dark horse to come out of the West. But given the sheer depth of some of the rosters in the conference, it would be difficult to emerge story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Udonis Haslem says Deandre Ayton won't be a good fit on the Lakers
One reason why Los Angeles Lakers fans are at least cautiously optimistic about this coming season is the addition of center Deandre Ayton. The seven-footer has a bit of a checkered past, but he has career averages of 16.4 points on 59% field-goal shooting and 10.5 rebounds a game, and he possesses a versatile set of skills. He is a post-up threat who can hit jumpers out to about 16 to 18 feet, and he also has a nice touch around the basket. He's also a serious lob threat who can run the floor in transition, which makes him close to the ideal center to pair with Luka Doncic. The Lakers are going from starting Jaxson Hayes, who is very limited and best suited to play about 12-15 minutes a game as a backup, to Ayton. However, former Miami Heat big man Udonis Haslem said on "The OGs" show that Ayton won't do well with L.A. — but not for the reason some may think. "I like Deandre Ayton, but that man want to get to his spot and jab and shoot," Haslem said. "… He's not getting the ball. Your [expletive] got to roll and catch lobs and play defense. The ball is going to Luka [Doncic], then [LeBron James], and Austin Reaves. Nobody giving him the ball to get in the mid-range and do all this [expletive]. "That's not to say he can't do that," Haslem continued. "But that's not what unlocks the best version of their best players, and that's not what they need. I like the size because they need size. Rim protector, they need that." Over the past two seasons, while with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton's attitude was a problem. Some seem to think that he won't improve his attitude in his new surroundings. Clearly, the Lakers will need to utilize Ayton offensively outside of lob passes and fast-break opportunities, but the opportunity should be there. Should opponents try to switch bigger players onto Doncic at the top of the floor, there may be a mismatch inside to exploit, which could result in easy looks for Ayton, either in the post or over the top. Doncic is clearly an unselfish player, and he may not have a problem with letting Ayton get his, especially since the two have reportedly been motivated to play on the same team. The real question is Ayton's energy, effort and attitude, especially on the defensive end, where he has the ability to be a game-changer but has largely been lackluster.
