Lakers Legend Begs Fans To Take A Big Leap Of Faith With New Addition

When the Los Angeles Lakers inked Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal this offseason, the move raised eyebrows. Once a top overall pick and centerpiece of a Finals-contending team in Phoenix, Ayton had faded into obscurity in Portland. But while fans debate his reliability, one Lakers legend is urging the faithful to show some patience—and a little belief.

Former Lakers big man Mychal Thompson, a two-time NBA champion and current radio voice for the team, recently shared his take on Ayton’s arrival in Los Angeles. A native of the Bahamas like Ayton, Thompson has long tracked the big man’s career and remains steadfast in his belief that the 26-year-old still has the tools to thrive.

Mychal Thompson Urges Lakers Fans to Believe in Deandre Ayton’s Potential

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers
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“He’s an All-Star talent, but he has to do it over an 82-game schedule and do it consistently,” Thompson told Sportskeeda. “So I don’t blame people for being a little bit skeptical about him. But I have faith in him. I know he’s going to prove to everybody how good he is.”

Ayton’s path hasn’t been linear. His high-priced deal in Portland never translated into results, and his once-promising stock plummeted to the point where he was bought out and available for a fraction of his original cost. But that’s exactly what made the Lakers’ low-risk, high-reward signing so intriguing: a 7-footer with career averages near a double-double for just $8.1 million annually.

Thompson, who once played alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on one of the most offensively versatile teams in NBA history, believes Ayton fits perfectly into what the modern Lakers need.

“He’s the perfect center for the Lakers,” Thompson said. “He’s not just a screen-and-roll guy—you can throw the ball in the post, and he can score with his back to the basket. He has top-10 center skills.”

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers
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Much of Ayton’s prior success came alongside elite passers like Chris Paul. If the Lakers truly see Luka Doncic as a long-term option—or perhaps another playmaker in that mold—they may be trying to recreate a similar environment for Ayton to succeed.

Skepticism is fair. Ayton’s body language, inconsistent effort, and defensive lapses have all been called into question. But the Lakers coaching staff, led by first-year head coach JJ Redick, believes a return to a competitive setting can help unlock the version of Ayton that helped anchor a Finals run just three seasons ago.

In a league where few quality centers hit the market, Ayton’s signing offers real upside. He’s still young, he’s motivated, and for the first time in a while, he’s got something to prove.

If he puts it all together, Mychal Thompson won’t just be right—he’ll be prophetic.

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