The Los Angeles Lakers had quite the offseason this year, with some strong additions to strengthen their depth and maximize their chances at a championship.
As LeBron James ages and Luka Dončić continues his prime, Lakers’ General Manager Rob Pelinka capitalized this offseason, trying to put the best pieces around his stars.
One acquisition, in particular, stacks up as this offseason’s best. The former No. 1 overall pick, a seven-foot center who has averaged a double-double over his career.
That would be Deandre Ayton, whom the Lakers were able to sign to a two-year $16 million contract after his buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
He spent his last two seasons in Oregon, where he was part of a suffering Blazers team, which featured Ayton having his lowest field goal percentage since his sophomore campaign.
He did, however, thrive in his five years in Phoenix, which was highlighted by their championship run in 2021 when they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Throughout his career, he has shot 59%, which is considered efficient from the inside, and has averaged over ten rebounds every year of his career, establishing himself as a true center.
Much like Brook Lopez and Al Horford did, Ayton seems to be trying to expand his game midway through his career beyond the three-point line. Although he only took .8 three-pointers per game, he now has the confidence to be shooting threes more often.
Dončić and James often have the ball in their hands, and sharing it with Austin Reaves means there won’t be much time for Ayton to create for himself.
Lucky for him, the back-to-the-basket archetype hasn’t been very useful the past decade.
His role with the Lakers should be screen-setting for ball-handlers and making timely cuts. He should also focus on putting himself in the right positions to score and rebound like he knows how to.
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