The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2025-26 NBA season with a familiar core but a few notable additions aimed at closing the gap between them and championship contention. Among the most impactful is Deandre Ayton, who joins the Lakers as their starting center, a significant upgrade over Jaxson Hayes, now slated for a reserve role.
Deandre Ayton: Ranked 5th Most Impactful Newcomer, Ready to Shake Up the Lakers
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“This surely won’t be Ayton’s last chance to live up to the potential that earned him a max contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers on the eve of free agency. It might be his best,” Kevin Pelton of ESPN noted, ranking Ayton as the fifth most impactful newcomer in the league. Pelton highlighted the offensive opportunities Ayton will encounter alongside Luka Doncic, citing that players screening for Doncic have an effective field goal percentage of 63% on the resulting shots — the highest among ball handlers with at least 500 such plays, according to GeniusIQ tracking.
Ayton’s addition addresses one of the Lakers’ most glaring needs from last season: a reliable presence at center who can both score and defend. Zach Lowe of ESPN echoed this sentiment, offering a measured but confident prediction. “I think Ayton’s gonna work with the Lakers. That does not mean I think Ayton’s gonna be DominAyton, he’s gonna be an All-Star, he’s gonna average 20 and 10.
“I just think he’s going to be a solid citizen. If he’s not all-in now, I don’t know when he will be,” Lowe said. He added that Ayton is expected to embrace the team’s needs — setting screens, rolling to the rim, and providing top-tier defense — while contributing around 16 points and eight rebounds per game.
Ayton isn’t the Lakers’ only new addition. The team also acquired 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and 23-year-old forward Jake LaRavia. LaRavia, often considered a low-key addition, is expected to flourish playing alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. According to Michael Shearer of Hoops Hype, LaRavia could emerge as a breakout candidate in 2025-26, offering versatility as a high-minute backup wing and the potential to become a 3-and-D contributor.
Despite these additions, the Lakers’ margin for error at center remains thin. Beyond Ayton, the options are limited: Hayes, now a reserve, has shown flashes of competence but lacks consistency; Maxi Kleber, past his prime, offers limited bench value; and Christian Koloko, a former Raptors draft pick, leans heavily on defense with developmental upside.
In short, Ayton’s performance will set the tone for the Lakers’ success this season. The team needs him not just to hold the starting spot, but to play a commanding role on both ends of the floor. If he thrives, the Lakers gain a reliable anchor to support their star trio and push deeper into playoff contention. If not, the team risks reverting to a thin rotation that struggled at center last season.
For now, all eyes are on Ayton as he takes the court in Los Angeles. As Lowe predicted, his commitment, defense, and ability to capitalize on Doncic’s screens could make the difference between another early playoff exit and a genuine championship push.