If someone had told the Los Angeles Lakers a few years ago that two Top 5 picks from the 2018 draft would end up together on the same roster alongside LeBron James, few would have believed it. Yet here we are: Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton, once cornerstones of the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, now wearing the Purple & Gold.
Both players led their former teams to the NBA Finals after long playoff droughts. Ayton, though never the focal point like Doncic, played a critical role in Monty Williams’ system during Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run. Now, in Los Angeles, he finds himself in a more limited offensive role — something he openly acknowledges.
“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 Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves] to be our main, primary ball handlers, and me being the big man in the game. So, you know, I’m absorbing all of that, and yeah, it’d probably be hard not to touch the ball with them great playmakers, to be honest,” Ayton told reporters, per Dave McMenamin.
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Preseason Absences Delay Chemistry
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So far, Ayton hasn’t had the chance to work with Doncic or James. As noted by Law Murray, Ayton said he “hasn’t been able to work with Luka or Bron yet. And it might be a couple weeks until that does happen.” This means much of the early preseason — including the Lakers’ opener against the Phoenix Suns — has seen Ayton, Austin Reaves, and other roster additions adjusting without the team’s two stars on the court.
LeBron, entering his 23rd NBA season, is managing a minor glute injury, while Doncic is pacing his return after a summer of international play at EuroBasket. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has expressed a desire to stage a “dress rehearsal” with the full roster before the regular season begins, ideally allowing all three stars to see game action together.
Ayton’s Role in the New System
Ayton’s contributions will extend beyond scoring. While he won’t be handling the ball nearly as often as he did in Phoenix, his defensive presence, rim protection, and pick-and-roll chemistry will be crucial. Though not a traditional rim-runner or pick-and-pop specialist, Ayton brings versatility and basketball IQ, qualities Olden Polynice believes could make his Lakers tenure highly impactful.
“They need that. They needed an anchor. They really did. I think he’s going to make up for a lot of the ‘ole’ defenses of LeBron and Luka. He can definitely cover ground,” Polynice said.
Building Around Three Stars
The Lakers’ current roster combines three top-5 draft picks with veterans like Marcus Smart, who is expected to anchor the perimeter defense, and JJ Redick, now in his first season as a coach. Austin Reaves will continue as the team’s secondary ball handler, bridging the gap until LeBron and Doncic fully integrate.
Preseason games have offered opportunities for newer roster members, including Ayton and Jake LaRavia, to get meaningful minutes. Against Phoenix, Ayton logged 18 minutes, recording eight rebounds and one point while taking just two shots. Meanwhile, Bronny James also saw the floor in a limited capacity, highlighting the team’s focus on managing minutes ahead of the regular season.
Looking Ahead
Ayton, Doncic, and LeBron represent the core around which the Lakers hope to contend in the Western Conference. While the trio hasn’t yet shared the court in meaningful action, the combination of size, skill, and experience positions Los Angeles to be a formidable contender once preseason wraps up.
For now, Lakers fans must wait to see the full synergy between their stars. If the early adjustments by Ayton and Reaves are any indication, integrating Luka and LeBron may come easier than expected. But until that moment arrives, the preseason serves as a proving ground for how this new-look Lakers team will perform under the bright lights of the NBA’s regular season.
