The Los Angeles Lakers enter training camp with fresh optimism. Luka Dončić, now in his first full season with the team, has undergone a physical transformation and appears more motivated than ever. LeBron James, still defying time at 40, and Austin Reaves give the Lakers a foundation that can contend. Yet the team’s biggest gamble doesn’t center around its stars—it rests on Deandre Ayton.
Betting Big on Familiarity and One Wild Card
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This summer, the Lakers kept their core intact and added Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Ayton. None of those moves made headlines like Dončić’s arrival last season, but they give head coach JJ Redick a roster that values chemistry and continuity.
The expectation is clear: Dončić, James, and Reaves will carry the scoring and playmaking load. What’s less clear is whether Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick, can finally turn his physical gifts into consistent production.
The Ayton Gamble
Ayton’s career has been defined by flashes of brilliance and long stretches of inconsistency. At 27, he’s entering what should be his prime. Last year with Portland, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds but played only 40 games due to a calf injury. That lack of durability echoes concerns that have followed him since Phoenix.
Lakers legend James Worthy pulled no punches when asked about Ayton’s role. Speaking on the Mason & Ireland Show, he said:
“It’s time for him to step up. … My grandfather used to say, ‘Let him have some gunpowder.’ … That’s what he’s got to be. He’s got to be a hunter.”
For Worthy, Ayton’s talent isn’t in doubt—it’s his mindset.
A Simple Job Description
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon echoed that sentiment on The Hoop Collective:
“Deandre Ayton will either be a long-term piece, or a short-term circus fire. … The guy’s talented, there’s no question. Is he going to do all the things he needs to do to help the Lakers win?”
The formula for success is simple. Work as a pick-and-roll partner for Dončić, finish plays around the rim, and provide a defensive anchor that was missing in last year’s playoff loss to Minnesota. If Ayton embraces that role, the Lakers could finally have the interior presence they lacked after trading Anthony Davis.
History of Missed Opportunities
Still, Ayton’s past gives reason for pause. He has drawn criticism for lapses in effort, clashes with coaches, and strange incidents in Portland—including missing a game because ice blocked his driveway. Portland eventually chose to buy him out, preferring to pay him to go away rather than build around him.
For the Lakers, that history raises a question: will this be different, or will Ayton follow the same frustrating pattern?
The Stakes in Los Angeles
The Lakers have no fallback plan. Jaxson Hayes remains a backup, but if Ayton falters, there’s no proven replacement. That makes him, not Dončić or James, arguably the most important player on the roster.
As Bryce Simon put it on the Game Theory Podcast:
“Deandre Ayton is the piece. … If he comes in and he’s a lob threat and figures out things defensively, all of a sudden, this is a hole in the team that gets answered.”
Boom or Bust
For Los Angeles, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. If Ayton thrives, the Lakers have the talent to challenge for a title. If he repeats old mistakes, they could waste another season of LeBron’s twilight and Dončić’s prime.
Ayton insists he’s ready for the challenge. Now, it’s about proving it—night after night. In Los Angeles, there is little room for excuses.