After the Los Angeles Lakers’ disappointing first-round exit from the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs, the team went into the offseason with a clear goal: to become tougher inside. Their answer came in the form of Deandre Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick, brought in to anchor the paint and provide the interior presence the Lakers lacked.
Early preseason performances raised eyebrows, with Ayton’s slow start prompting questions about whether he was the right fit for the Purple and Gold. However, in the Lakers’ dominant 126–116 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors on October 12, the 27-year-old center silenced critics while defining his role.
“Just really changing the narrative of protecting the rim on the defensive end. JJ [Redick] put an emphasis that he wanted his bigs protecting the rim. I’m just trying to let the world know and the league know that I’m the Lakers center and anchor of this defense,” Ayton said after the game.
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Ayton’s commitment to defense isn’t new. After debuting with the Lakers against his former team, the Phoenix Suns, he emphasized that his focus is on helping the team rather than personal statistics. “I wanted to show the team I’m more committed on the defensive end, more than the offense … I’m just here for whatever the Lakers really want me to do,” he said, despite scoring just one point in that game.
Against Golden State, Ayton demonstrated a fuller skill set, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 26 minutes. Beyond the numbers, he dominated the paint, grabbed three offensive rebounds, and efficiently executed pick-and-roll plays with Austin Reaves, signaling his readiness to contribute on both sides of the court.
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Ayton also acknowledged his role in the offense with superstars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić in the lineup. “Trust those playmakers, and if you get more than two shots, then that was how the game’s supposed to go. JJ’s trusting (Luka, LeBron, and Austin) to be our main, primary ball handlers, and me being the big man in the game,” he said.
As the Lakers continue to refine rotations ahead of the regular season, Ayton’s message is clear: he is committed to anchoring the defense while maximizing opportunities when the offense flows through him. With his strong preseason showing, the Lakers may have found the interior presence they desperately needed.