nba
[Trudell] Deandre Ayton on playing with Luka & LeBron: “They turn teammates into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles. Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, you know, coming up and being a part of the NBA Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me”
![[Trudell] Deandre Ayton on playing with Luka & LeBron: “They turn teammates into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles. Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, you know, coming up and being a part of the NBA Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me”](https://external-preview.redd.it/OpWO2EXTaETnGu0UaU0t2nlkh4UIQmpOF-p77-44Vso.jpeg?auto=webp&s=66bf984a24c00841134b884d9f517606dbf9d32f)
Source: https://lakers.com/news/ayton-and-laravia-introduced-070825
On Tuesday afternoon in El Segundo, the newest Lakers were introduced at the UCLA Health Training Center, as Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia addressed reporters for the first time.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall draft pick in new teammate Luka Doncic’s 2018 class, has started 391 of his 398 career games with Phoenix (2018-23) and Portland (2023-25), towards averages of 16.4 points on 59.0% FG’s, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
The 26-year-old 7-footer said it wasn’t a difficult decision to join the Lakers.
Ayton says he’s very excited about the prospect of playing alongside Doncic and LeBron.
“They both average about nine assists over their career span, and just the type of players they create with their teammates,” he explained. “They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor. Just seeing that and finally getting the chance to go in and experience that would be big for me. Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, you know, coming up and being a part of the (NBA) Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me that’s leading to wins.”
Discussion
The 26 year old who needs a good playmaker to be his best really should not struggle this season playing next to Luka and Bron. Defensive effort is the biggest concern, but I really don't see how Ayton doesn't have one of his best seasons offensively
Defensively the main concern for me would be the wings and backcourt duo. I’ve been thinking they need to trade AR since the trade first happened, but if they are going to keep him anyway, at the very least I think they need like a Herb Jones type player, doesn’t have to be him but someone like that. Bron is pretty good defensively when it matters. But I don’t see how this current team can defend well
A trade centered around Herb Jones for Austin Reeves would be interesting
Honestly I don’t even know what the Pels are trying to do. They got 2 rookies and traded their pick away before a good draft class. Who knows maybe they give them Herb for Knecht straight up
Lakers should definitely try it. Throw in a second rounder to sweeten the deal
It’s the Pel, they probably throw a second for you.
Hmm. Interesting. Maybe I would.
They just got poole though. Similar type of player to AR
It's dumb as fuck of a trade idea though.
So the Pels are probably gonna do it.
Honestly if Jordon Poole wasn't on the team it would make a lot of sense.
Austin Reeves is an amazing young offensive talent. Pelicans have Trey Murphy and Saddiq Bey (and Zion if plays basketball again) so there are a lot of bigger wings on the team.
I dunno if id consider Reaves young talent, hes older than Luka, SGA, Zion etc.
I am surprised that a contender or fringe contender that needs offense hasn't been going after him since he's on an amazing contract this year and like you said is a fantastic offensive talent.
Luka, SGA, and Zion I also consider young.
In the start of their prime but not prospects. (Except Zion, because injuries)
But I get your point. Reaves is no longer a young prospect. He is what he is at this point. Which is a great offensive guard who may have a little bit more untapped ability to create for others on a team that doesn't have a LeBron and Luka.
That's a good distinction to draw. He's young in that he can be part of your core for a long time and his market value isn't likely to decline soon, but he's not young enough that he's likely to improve a great deal.
Reaves is tricky from a market value perspective, though, because his archetype of player (good scoring guard who doesn't play much defense) is pretty overrepresented across the league. I'd like to see him grow as a playmaker to better differentiate himself.
his biggest differentiator now is he's a hustle player. he's not bad at defense but he's not great. he's just ok. he wont kill you on D but he wont help on D. So can build a great defense with him as your worst defender
perfect to slot next to an Amen Thompson for example
Reaves is no longer a young prospect. He is what he is at this point
I think that's tough to say with Reaves specifically, since he's made huge leaps every year he's been in the league. Some players are late developers (see Steve Nash), so I feel like until we've actually seen Reaves plateau for a year or two, it's tough to say he's done improving.
It’s because he’s in that tier of player where he’s gonna want a lot of money but giving him that money makes it hard to build a good team. Kinda like the problem the Nuggets ran into with Murray, and that’s with Murray being the better player.
At his current contract you’re not gonna find many better players besides people still on rookie deals. But he’s due to get paid soon
It makes sense if you completely ignore his fit next to Fears and Queen. That team desperately needs guys like Herb Jones to cover for the poor defenders on the roster.
Reaves is 27 already.
13 years younger than LeBron
Ah yes, Austin Reaves, the ideal fit next to the core of Fears, Queen and Trey Murphy 😂.
I’m sure the lakers would love to do this deal but Reaves simply doesn’t fit what NOLA is building at all.
What exactly is NOLA building?
We are trying to fatten up our generational talent and trade him to LA. What about you?
Rigging drafts I guess
One would assume a team that envisions both Fears and Queen as starters. Reaves would be an awful complement to those two.
Not sure if they'll trade AR. LeBron is retiring and those three might be the next core of the Lakers, while looking for a younger defensive forward
They probably won’t, but they should. I think a Reaves/Luka backcourt really is a non-starter defensively.
As we saw, they will inevitably have long stretches where both are bottom of the barrel defensively. They need to get a better long term fit next to Luka in the backcourt.
Yes, Lakers need the POA defender inbetween Luka and Reaves on defense. Reaves is actually not bad as a chaser and Luka is quite decent on 3s and 4s but shouldn't be guarding anyone too quick. Melton or Wiggins in a trade would be nice.
Lack of effort
Yip, and he’s also a #1 pick.
Honestly that's why he has so much to say lately lol
If he, a number 1 pick can't make it work w Luka and Bron it's gonna tank his value
that's why he has so much to say lately
Well it's also just that being on the Lakers means everyone is going to pay way more attention to everything he does and says, which means he's gonna have more mics in his face on average to say shit.
Any player that gets their draft selection constantly referenced is a not a good player
It’s like when someone is still talking about their ACT score after junior year of college
Ayton isnt really a lob guy though, he loves to take 12 footers.
Most of his shots are within 10 feet. I don’t know why people keep acting like he’s taking 15 mid range shots a game
I’m sure Luka and LeBron could get him good looks that aren’t lobs but idk
People don't watch the suns or blazers other than the few times a year their team plays against them.
When DA is locked in he's an awesome player and he's going to have to be locked in if he wants anything above a minimum next year, I think the fit with him in LA is going to shock a lot of people with how good he is.
All that said he will absolutely settle for 2 or 3 hooks / floaters a game that confuse you.
is going to shock a lot of people with how good he is.
I swear, 2021 wasn't that long ago. He was anchoring a finals team at 23 years old, and all it really took was CP3. People act like he's some sort of scrub.
Wasn’t he getting hyped up after getting a 20/20 in the finals that year? I know things broke down in Phoenix after that but Ayton clearly has the tools to be great
Some how he got blamed for Giannis repeatedly cooking them, even tho he's the only one who had decent defensive numbers vs Giannis. I guess the Suns needed a scapegoat.
Also Giannis was on a goddamn generational run that postseason - that's like saying "oh he got cooked by Jokic in '23" - like, yeah, so did everyone.
2019-2022 was a very long 3 years from everything that happened to be fair
thats fine too hes got great touch and consistently is on the top list of fg% in terms of scoring amongs bigs, people are ignoring we had FUCKING HAYES LMAO hayes baby hooks somehow touched the top of the box its insnae
He’s a very good lob threat. Not sure about the volume but he had great chemistry with Scoot on lobs.
He is absolutely a lob guy. He just doesn't prefer to bang down in the post. But running the lane free to catch a lob is definitely something he does well.
Really? I feel he finished solid amount of lobs but the issue is he’s allergic to contact and won’t do so if there’s traffic.
Yeah, like it is funny listening to Ayton and thinking, "Here we go again," but also I can't say he's wrong. They will make his job easier, and he probably can do what they want him to do.
I'm not sure we'll see him be any more useful than Lively or Gafford. Their lack of effort in games was a drag on Luka.
Will be empty numbers
“I haven’t had an opportunity like this since Chris Paul was traded for Brad Beal”
The Ayton PR turnaround since joining us has been crazy lol
I’m excited to see him play with us, but there’s been an insane amount of talk about him
I get that we’re the Lakers, but it feels like he’s been discussed more here than Turner, who’s the biggest free agency acquisition so far this offseason.
Lakers Gas Machine in full effect.
get ready bucko. strap in lol
Crazy hearing him shit on Portland with quotes like this.
he's a moron. one of the more high level delusional athlete I can ever remember. everytime he opens his mouth, he finds some new, impressive way to make himself look like an ass. Speaks as if the entire league is out to get him, when he's been given so many more chances than almost any NBA athlete I can remember. His work ethic is embarassing.
he's correct and the trailblazers had terrible point guards and he needs someone who can play point.
agreed, someone like chris paul maybe would be good
Nobody knows it more than you and I, will be interesting to watch the LA train wreck this year.
Don’t think Laker fans care lol at his current price.
He’s miles better than Hayes and checks notes Alex fucking Len.
I'm ready for the smoke when DA starts flaming out and Lakers fan chew him down.
I remember how many people seriously whined about Luka right after the trade and during the games he played. Sometimes i absolutely loathe that i'm a fan of the Lakers, there are so many people flipflopping about the players after the smallest mistake, that it's really tiresome. Luckily there are a lot of level-headed people too, they just sometimes drown under all the noise. I didn't want Ayton at first, after reading all the shitpieces about him being tardy, late and disruptive, but now that he's LA, i'm gonna support him no matter what. A lot of people aren't though, that's for sure, shitheads that they are😂 And i don't think that you can't criticize the players at all, that's just part of the game and being an athlete. It's those overreactions of this fanbase that make all of us seem like fucking idiots 😅
I do think there is some context though to him. Not saying it’s right but not unheard of in the NBA. With the Suns it went downhill when they didn’t offer him an extension in a timely manner and then lowballed him. He became disgruntled and feuded with the coach who was eventually let go anyway. Then with Portland they just weren’t that good of a team and a lot of players don’t play as well on teams that aren’t good and he didn’t have the playmakers in Portland.
He also made it clear he wanted to leave when they didn’t give him an extension and had the falling out with Monty Williams and was going to sign with the Pacers but then the Suns matched the offer at the last minute.
Yeah, some of the main problems with Ayton are about his effort level and whether he’s engaged. We all know the guy can play.
Makes sense that there’s lots of optimism—he’s definitely in pretty close to an ideal situation. Best shot for him to turn things back around on his career.
Also two teams that other than the last 25 games for Portland, fans have roundly criticized. Would it be shocking that the team that blew up the finals roster for an oldish KD and Beal also made a bad decision on a young talent?
Ayton has all the talent in the world. He just doesn’t give a shit about basketball it seems. He disconnects mentally from many games per season. Anyone that’s watched him all season knows this.
Consistently inconsistent. Watch as he will drop 40/20/10 on us out of motivated spite, then disappear for 3 games
I wonder if he’s gonna beast on blazers now also lmao. Seemed to leave amicably but who knows.
I mean, he’s talking shit about them now with this quote.
Is it really talking shit about Portland to say that they didn't have a playmaker on the same level as CP3, LeBron or Luka? That's just an undeniable fact. I doubt even Portland's FO or ownership would try to claim that they did.
You don’t have to say it. He wants everyone to know that his failure in Portland was because he didn’t have a CP3 or Luka.
if the suns were wrong to trade ayton then surely he has a robust market in portland and they were able to find a trade partner for him instead of paying him $25 million to leave.
I haven't paid close attention. Just found out he joined the bucks. That's crazy
The dame contract being waived overshadowed it because it’s kinda an insane play by the bucks
Yeah it was a sign-and-trade
The Bucks stretched and waived Dame to facilitate it
Did the same thing when he came to Portland. Quickly realized he’s an absolute bum.
Doesnt matter lmao. ESPN is just a platform to glaze the lakers and the stars the league hands them to keep business booming. Now that the Knicks hired a coach and Giannis clearly isnt leaving they really have nothing else to
yeah, I wonder why that is lol
It’s no PR turnaround. It’s just him saying bullshit 2K scripted answers.
Only lakers fans are moved by this
It’s a little bit off a “we have been hating on this guy for years but like considering the cost, this guy won’t be that bad” kind of thing. Like sure he is not a great player, certainly not a 35 mil a year guy, but compared to Hayes he is like prime Shaq, and considering its a contract year, and considering that he will play with Bron and Luka, it shouldn’t be that bad.
It’s insanity, it’s like Christian Wood 2.0. I can’t wait for the season to start.
He’s better than wood
Yes, but that’s not the point.
The point is you literally had idiots looking at Wood’s stats and suggesting he could be like Pau Gasol because of that.
He's DominAyton the headlines.
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Tbf, Ayton has so much more potential than Myles Turner. Myles Turner did everything he could to become a 15+6 guy. Ayton delivered 15+10 in sleepwalking, his only problem was being lazy, low effort and refused body contact.
Where were all these Ayton quotes before this summer then?
What we saw this postseason is peak Myles Turner. Stretch 5, decent shot blocker, bad rebounder. If he's your fourth best guy on the floor then you're in good shape but Milwaukee is effectively paying him $50m a year with the Lillard stretch.
Peak Ayton is legitimately an all-NBA talent. To date he can't be bothered to actually realize that potential and maybe there's been some atrophy but I wouldn't be shocked if he reverses his present career arc.
It’s just kind of dishonest to insist on “peak Ayton” as anything more than some pre-draft vision.
How many guys do we see make a jump out of absolutely nowhere? Don’t get me wrong, certain players hit their peaks over time through consistent progress. Are you really expecting DA to all of a sudden look like an All NBA player out of nowhere?
At least with guys like Zion or to a lesser extent a guy like Poole, we’ve seen this All NBA talent (or in Poole’s case maybe an all star level). We really haven’t seen that with DA for any notable stretch.
I mean laravia was hyped up being something special special
By who?
All I’ve heard about him is that he’s going to be a bench rotational piece. But since it’s a popular team it got discussed.
I think fans overrate Turner. The guy has been on the block a lot through his career. Turners agent got $25 million and quickly had him sign. Turner is a starting center and is paid like a starting center, but that’s it.
Ayton has a bunch of issues and they are well noted. But there is a reason he was traded for a haul from Phoenix and paid a very big salary. His floor is a limited starting center. His ceiling is a guy that guarded AD well and has all star potential (though no one thinks he ever reaches his ceiling). He was the number one pick. It’s pretty obvious why he is the talk of FA and Turner isn’t. If Ayton had chosen Atlanta instead of the Lakers I still think he is the bigger story (though not this big).
What haul was traded for ayton? Blazers dumped nurkic and got Camara out of that deal lol. Their biggest loss was not getting Grayson Allen as part of the dame part of the deal, who went to the suns instead
Kind of a perfect storm tbh.
He's a former #1 pick who has proven he can be the third guy on a championship level team in the past. He's now in pretty much the perfect position to succeed now, and he's the exact type of player the Lakers needed. If he actually gets his head on straight (not likely I know) he could legitimately turn the Lakers into contenders.
The LA media circus means basically any outcome will be entertaining. If he's lazy and disengaged and the Lakers suck it's going to be a trainwreck everyone will be watching, if he's great then they'll be a lot of fun.
Add to that it could be Lebron's last year as a MVP level player contending for a championship and you could say that Ayton is LeBron's last shot at winning a 5th ring and making a serious run at the GOAT crown. That's obviously a major longshot but it just shows there are some insane outcomes that are possible here.
LeBron was nowhere near the level of an MVP caliber player last year, so what makes you think he’ll all of a sudden become that this year?
The gap between LeBron and guys like Jokic, SGA, and Giannis is pretty notable now, even if Bron is still really good.
I don't think Turner joining the Bucks matters much honestly, not a whole lot to say about it.
Some additional Ayton quotes from his introductory presser:
Deandre Ayton on making his decision: "The teams that me and my agents evaluated during that time span, I feel that the Lakers was the best fit. Being around the two best playmakers in the league, and just Laker Nation, having the fan base behind them (like) I’ve never seen before and just to be a part of it, knowing the winning legacy that this organization has. I know the expectations. I know that winning means a lot here”
Ayton on being fueled by criticism and doubt over the past few years: "Most definitely. It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing, here in the Purple and Gold. And it’s a platform that I cannot run from. I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world”
Ayton’s already had conversations with Pelinka and JJ Redick about the coming season, and is eager to show that he knows where to best focus his energy.
“Mainly just protecting that rim as much as possible, closing out possessions and really leading just these things to buckets,” he said. “Every pick-and-roll I set is a strong screen. When I roll to the rim, I’m rolling to the rim aggressively. Just really emphasizing the thing that the team wants. That’s my role in just really playing hard at it.”
Glad that he’s aware he needs to set strong screens. That was a big concern for me with his and Luka’s PnR potential.
Ngl these answers go hard from Ayton. If he lives up to his words lakers might be really good.
Not to be negative because I do think Ayton will have a good season next to Luka and LeBron while heading into his contract year.
That being said, Ayton almost always said the right things when he was on the Suns too. For 5 years, it was his quotes which gave us optimism that he'd play consistently on defense, rebound aggressively and be a force at the rim. He did this in spurts but it was the consistency/motor that was his biggest issue.
Set a hard screen? lololol
Yeah, he's listing the things he's been bad at one by one.
At least he's aware of the problem. I guess that's progress.
But why haven't you been setting proper screen all these years? What kind of a professional needs to have LeBron and Luka next to him in order to do that?
A looming contract
The screaming matches between he and JJ are going to be epic.
Ayton on being fueled by criticism and doubt over the past few years: "Most definitely. It fuels me. It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time.
I always thought Ayton played just fine on our team, and the Blazer fans that were most down on him were the ones who were a little delusional about what kind of player we were getting. I genuinely wish him the best and think the Lakers will be a fun team to watch.
But this is such a weird thing to say. Nothing was stopping you at any point from "expressing" more "drive".
People in this thread don’t know that DA is one of the greatest “talk a big game” players of all time. He will say all the right things on media day and after every game, one of the best media day guys ever. Journalists love him because he always gives perfect quotes. And then when it’s time to play he just … doesn’t.
But Suns and Blazer fans know.
I'm even a UA guy so I knew before the NBA hit that it was gonna be rough. All the talent in the world just doesn't love ball. And thats ok, go get your money big man. I hope he makes 500m more!
But those quotes are hilarious knowing how little he tries.
It's very hard to teach someone to care.
Ayton just doesn't give a fuck most of the time, and never has, and no reason to think he will suddenly get it this year.
I get Laker fans wanting to believe, I would too. But ther's no reason to think anything is actually going to change. He'll have one big game and there will be 20 threads here about it, and then fuck off for the next 15.
I finally get the chance to express my drive. One of the more lazy excuses I've heard lol.
Who was stopping you from that? Suns and Blazers just didn't want to you to try your hardest?
There was a run of games in phoenix when Ayton looked like he met all the hype…people forget how talented this young man was…now he has two of the best minds in basketball helping…wish him the best
Yeah, he might just genuinely need something to mentally get up for. He was excellent during that run.
Not everyone in the league, no disrespect, has the mental edge to be great when the stakes are low
And then there was an even longer run in Phoenix that carried into Portland where he didnt meet the hype
He also got benched by Jock Landale in the playoffs. He had a single good run, but his career has been below expectations. Don’t get fooled by one good run in 7 seasons.
I mean like bro, you should know that sometimes players underperform. JJJ in the playoffs this season averaged 16/5/2 on 38/27 efficiency. Straight up awful awful g1, terrible g4 as well. Doesn’t mean he is shit all of a sudden, like Jock is also not better than Ayton
Underperforming because shots aren't falling and underperforming because everyone watching the game can tell you straight up aren't trying are two very different things.
You haven't watched any games, just highlights lol dude is trash can't even make layups
And anytime he gets passed a ball he either fumbles it or decides to post up and dribble it, it gets snatched. So damn frustrating to watch. No idea if that had improved when he was with the blazers
It did not
the thing is, he doesn't really need to be quite that good now. he really just needs to be better than jaxson hayes, which he almost certainly will be.
If your goal is a chip, he needs to be way more than good. “Better than Hayes” isn’t the bar you should strive for
He may not be a star and he has issues, but dudes been a 15/10 guy practically his entire career. Hes better than people here think he is. Hes still in that 10-15 range of starting centers. I don’t think anyone thinks he’s pushing for t5 anytime soon.
Interestingly enough his best seasons have been with an elite play maker. Too bad we don’t have one of those :(
Stop.
He's not wrong about the playmaking. According to BBall Index, his move from the Suns to the Blazers was the biggest drop in teammate playmaking talent among centers in the last 5 seasons.
Now he has not one, but two generational passers, and Reaves on top of that.
I’m definitely riding a bit of a high having Ayton on the roster for cheap playing with Bron and Luka.
However, I have seen lots of his games over the years and know what the history says. Im hopeful this is a wake up call type thing and he takes full advantage of playing with these two guys
Im just excited to see him play
Any player should be excited to play with playmakers like Luka and LeBron. They’ve shown time and time again they can elevated production and stats of teammates they play with.
Definitely helpful in terms of getting more bread in their next contract.
In the case of Ayton getting out of Portland to LA is a pretty major upgrade for his career.
Honestly its a role players dream. These guys made terrible to mid players look good. Bron is older now, but Luka has been making guys like Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell, Josh Green, THJ look like playoff starters. Just make your open shots or play 4 on 3, or if you are a big, just finish open dunks and layups and you’ll look somewhat fine
People around here are probably too young to remember the dreadful Cavs players that made All-Star games due to being carried to 60 wins by prime LeBron.
LeBron was so good back then he talked everyone into making Mo Williams an All Star one season when he was at best putting up Jason Terry level play.
Translation: I need to be carried.
He needs all 4 of the other players to be able to dribble the ball 3 steps forward because he still can’t. Rudy Gobert and Prime Deandre Jordan got better handles than this man
Interesting talk for a guy who just a couple years ago came to Portland saying he would be ‘dominAyton’. All of the sudden he needs to be unlocked? Maybe that’s growth.
CharminAyton.
Over under on FTs this year? Laker bump get him over 1.5??
As long as we don't get the AbominAyton i'm good 😅
Ayton said he couldn’t win with those cats in Portland
well fuck you too buddy
Loves the attention but does not love to put in the work. LA media gonna eat this MF alive.
Certified bus rider
Ayton super excited about being carried somewhere.
Getting back to where he was is all on him
I have no faith in this guy. He’s a massive disappointment
Can't wait for him to skip rehab and have public temper tantrums.
I know what hes trying to say but I cant help read it as "I need superstars to carry my ass" lol
So he is admitting he is not the main guy but rather a supporting character in a starting lineup.
I watched DA for two years in Portland. He has a nice shot and keeps himself in shape. He looks the part. But he's just not that guy.
They turn them into superstars
I can't think of any players LeBron or Doncic have turned into stars or superstars.
Guys like Love and Bosh went from stars to lesser or non-stars when they joined with LeBron and played smaller roles. Brunson became a star immediately after leaving Dallas.
Gafford’s trajectory changed teaming up with Luka. He’s not a superstar but it’s pretty clear that Luka makes rim running bigs more employable than they would be without him. Dwight Powell is still in the league because of Luka. Luka also elevates stationary 3 and D wings. Finney Smith got his most important contract because of Luka.
“I’m not him but I love playing with him”
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Damn, Ive seen more Ayton news the last 2 weeks than all of his career before it.
Translation: I'm useless unless I have someone spoon feeding me.
what was chris paul trying to do i wonder
This makes me literally laugh out loud. So this he’s been waiting this whole time for Luka and Lebron to unlock his skills. Hmmmmm
If he just runs the floor he’ll score 16 a night off lob dunks alone
Sounds like he wants them to do his job for him.
Im getting tired of these Ayton posts man lol
Dominayton locked in league fucked
At his best, he was an 18 10 player. Last season he was a 14 10 player .. I'm sure he can get back to his peak lmao.
Still better than Hayes
Watch him smear brown on the Purple and Gold soon
I've always liked Ayton personally. Think the Suns really underestimated him as a core part of that team.
He’s honest and real about it, I respect that he needs and wants team ball
Ayton in a contract year running PNR with Luka freaking Doncic is gonna cook. He changes their team completely. That offense is gonna be elite with Reaves and Rui spotting up for Luka and Ayton and LeBron scoring in the paint off pick and rolls and off cuts. And then of course you have top 3-4 player in the league in Luka to do the heavy lifting through the regular season.
Lakers are contenders imo, not top of the crop, but top 4-6 imo. I’m only taking OKC, Denver, and Houston as quite a bit better teams than them.
So he understands that he’s not the guy. I appreciate the self awareness
reminds me of my favorite Jordan Poole quote: "credit to my teammates for finding me"
I'm concerned with all these Ayton quotes seemingly talking about how easy this is going to be lol. Hope being around these guys inspires him to work harder, and not just depend on them to make him look good.
Until he chokes in playoffs
4g you
Other than Kyrie who did LeBron or Luka turn into a superstar? Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love, and Anthony Davis were already all NBA level players before they ever teamed with LeBron
Bro speaks like how my NBA 2K character does in post game interviews. He is farming those teammate chemistry.
“I’m used to being carried”
Can’t believe Lakers got a bargain for him. Stern would have blocked this move.
But for Silvers, his goal is to “Make Lakers Great Again”
Ayton wants that max and he sees Luka and lebron delivering it to him on a silver platter
"I can't create my own shot"
Bro is right. LeBron might make Ayton look like SHAQ. Luka is there too now. And Ayton is still just 26 btw.. That's lowkey insane
If they manage to unlock Ayton: league fucked
I mean, he also said he was gonna be DominAyton in Portland...we know how that turned out.
Sure he will get better stats with Luka and Lebron around. Hope that won't be the end of his improvement though because the REAL improvement needs to happen with attitude and mental strength. And I can see it doing either way depending on how the season goes. If it goes well, Lebron and crew can build him up in that front. But if it goes bad, oh boy he is gonna be eaten ALIVE on TV. He could hide somehow in Portland because obviously media paid little attention to anything outside the few big markets, but in Lakers? You will be dissected.
He's basically saying he expects to be carried to the finals lmao.
Go ahead and start counting the money now Ayton the new deal is secured.
I know people have been saying that it's gonna be "Contract year Ayton" and then problems but i genuinely think Ayton is gonna love the LA spotlight and gonna find more ambition there than he could find in Phoenix. It's not gonna be a fairytale though. LA still aint one of the top dogs.. The league/West ain't no joke. So many really good to great teams. Imo LA needs another solid center. Gafford level backup center. That's when LA hits that true contender status.
Ayton, Luka, Lebron, Reaves, Rui is a really good starting five.
Vincent, Vanderbilt, LaRavia, Hayes and Knecht is not ideal depth though. It's not bad though. It's a workable bench. As a GM with limited assets, i would focus on upgrading the backup C. Rest of the roster can figure shit out and work together but Hayes has unfixable bbiq issues. And having two solid guys at C is critical as fuck with Luka/Old Lebron as your main stars.
Ayton's an idiot. He's not suddenly going to stop being an idiot.
I'd be happy to see him truly thrive but circumstances rarely change personalities
“I’m ready to start trying again”
Luka is the perfect fit for him
Always be selling.
LeBron has been known as the greatest floor raiser of his era, now we have guys like Jokic and Luka, and Ayton gets to play with two of them, he’s right to be excited
For a guy who’s been claiming to want to play meaningful basketball unlike what he was doing in Portland it’s a huge opportunity, I hope he makes the most of it
Beats Wenyen Gabriel, Thomas Bryant, and Jaxon Hayes starting. Lakers big men getting mins have been putrid since the bubble team was broken up
I feel like everyone has forgotten how good Thomas Bryant was. He was absolutely balling that season when AD got hurt. After he was traded the Lakers never had another reliable big outside of AD.
He was great on offense, but couldn't rim protect to save his life. His team defense left huge gaps and he would constantly make the wrong play.
He's gotten better with the Pacers, but on the Lakers he was offense only.
Even on the Pacers he had moments where he absolutely blew up our defense with overeager rotations or biting on fakes. Love the guy's energy but he struggles with discipline within a defensive scheme for sure.
He’s what people think Luka is on defense.
There’s a reason Carlisle didn’t play him much lol. The fact that Bradley was a better option speaks volumes on his inability to defend / rebound
Thomas Bryant was extremely overrated. He played no interior and help defense, leading to his offensive impact being neutralized at best. There’s a reason why the Pacers hardly played him this year, even though Myles Turner found himself in foul trouble a lot.
Wenyen isn't even a center too 😭