DeAndre Ayton Finding His Role with the Los Angeles Lakers
Settling into his role in Los Angeles
DeAndre Ayton joined the Lakers in free agency this past summer as a veteran big to give the team more size and interior presence. Expectations were high for the former No. 1 pick, and early in the season he had a mix of solid stretches and quieter games as he adjusted to a new system and lineup.
There was some external pressure and noise from fans and media about what type of impact he should make, and Ayton made it clear he wasn’t going to be slotted into someone else’s mold — he’s building his own role with the club. The main goal has been to provide consistent rim protection, rebounding and efficient scoring in the paint to complement the team’s backcourt and wing play.
Recent form and playoff implications
Lately Ayton has been trending upward at the right time, with one standout performance coming against the Chicago Bulls when he finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. When he produces a 20/10 game, the Lakers have had notable success — a sign of how valuable his double-digit rebound nights can be.
Through this stretch he’s averaging about 12.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in just under 28 minutes per game. With the postseason approaching, Los Angeles is jockeying for position in the crowded Western Conference, and Ayton’s ability to play well consistently could be an important factor if the team wants to lock down a higher seed and make a deeper push.
As the playoffs near, the focus for Ayton and the Lakers will be maintaining that level of play on both ends of the floor so the team can ride momentum at the right time.
