The Lakers locker room has been buzzing with anticipation since Deandre Ayton walked through the doors. Here’s a former No. 1 pick who’s been written off by two franchises, carrying baggage that would sink most careers.
But something feels different this time. Maybe it’s the pressure of playing alongside LeBron James, or maybe it’s finally hitting rock bottom in Portland. Either way, Ayton says he’s ready to prove everyone wrong.
Why Did the Lakers Take a Chance on Deandre Ayton?
The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed a center this offseason, and when they signed former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, it immediately raised eyebrows among fans and analysts around the league.
Ayton hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft projections. Still, he hasn’t been bad either, and he averaged respectable numbers in the 2024-25 season. However, the issues are with his reluctance and effort. But with the Lakers, he feels it’s a situation he can’t run away from and is fueled by a desire to live up to his true potential.
Rumors of shocking antics marred Ayton’s career with the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers. From skipping rehab programs to slamming chairs after missing a crucial game against the Brooklyn Nets because a sheet of ice blocked his driveway, the 26-year-old’s frustrating antics are now well-known in the league.
Per league rumors, Ayton did not fit in with the Trail Blazers’ culture, with former NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins calling him a “diva” and a “cancer in the locker room” in the past. People were concerned about his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, and Portland eventually bought him out last week.
These issues sparked criticism when the Lakers signed him to a two-year, $16.6 million deal, but Ayton believes Los Angeles is a situation he can’t run away from. He is fueled by the criticism and is determined to prove his worth alongside the greats of the game, LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
How Will Ayton’s Motivation Translate to On-Court Success?
“Most definitely. It fuels me,” Ayton said. “It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing here in the Purple and Gold. And it’s a platform that I cannot run from.
“I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”
“It fuels me.”
Deandre Ayton is ready to prove the doubters wrong in LA 😤
(via @khobi_price) pic.twitter.com/arhOXIB84B
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 8, 2025
As Ayton himself acknowledged, it’s a perfect platform and time for him to prove his pre-draft hype to the world. His size, mobility, and athleticism will allow both paint scoring and paint protection for the Lakers, and with the amount of playoff experience he brings, Lakers fans can start dreaming of a championship run.
The numbers tell part of the story. Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds during the 2024-25 season with Portland, shooting 56.6% shooting. It was the least productive season of his career, and he’ll need to break past his career-high numbers, 18.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, to have a shot at making his Lakers tenure successful.
But first and foremost, Ayton will need to get rid of his tardiness. The talent has always been there, sitting just beneath the surface. Now it’s about whether he can finally put it all together when it matters most.
