The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason acquisition of Deandre Ayton is facing scrutiny as concerns about his locker room presence intensify. After claiming the center off waivers, the Lakers hoped that playing alongside stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic would reinvigorate Ayton’s career. However, reports from the league suggest that Ayton’s attitude may be detrimental to the team’s dynamics.
Concerns surrounding Ayton’s behavior were highlighted by ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who stated, “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.”
At the start of the 2023 season, Ayton managed to keep his emotions in check. As the season progresses, his frustrations appear to be mounting. Fellow analyst JJ Redick noted, “I think he’s frustrated. He doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball,” indicating that a lack of involvement in the game is impacting Ayton’s performance. This situation raises significant questions about his future with the team.
As the Lakers face the challenge of integrating Ayton into their ball-dominant style of play, instances of disengagement from the player are becoming visible. Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin mentioned efforts by the team to ensure Ayton receives early touches, yet the results have been inconsistent.
During a recent match, the Lakers experienced a scoring drought while Ayton was on the floor in the fourth quarter. Notably, team super fan and three-time Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe pointed out that the Lakers regained momentum after Ayton was benched. Sharpe tweeted, “Lakers blew a big lead and then came back from double digits down once JJ removed a certain player from the lineup. Rui caught fire from 3, Smart timely shots and played outstanding defense. Luka was Luka and Bron chipped in with 17.”
The feedback from various observers suggests that Ayton’s presence may be increasingly viewed as a liability rather than an asset. As the Lakers navigate their roster dynamics, the upcoming trade deadline could prompt discussions about Ayton’s future with the organization. If his frustrations continue to escalate and performance does not improve, it is conceivable that the Lakers may explore trading him to another team willing to take on the risk.
With the season still young, the Lakers must address these emerging issues swiftly to maximize their potential in a competitive NBA landscape. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, the focus will be on whether Ayton can adapt or if a change is necessary to foster a more cohesive team environment.
