Deandre Ayton is one of the newest additions to the Los Angeles Lakers squad. Over the summer, Ayton signed a two-year contract worth $16.2 million with the Lakers. He was brought in with the expectation of filling in the gap that Anthony Davis left since getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks last season for Luka Dončić.
Now that the Lakers are 14 games in this season, Austin Reaves shared his thoughts on how efficient Ayton has been for the team so far.
Austin Reaves Is Getting Along With Deandre Ayton
Throughout 14 games this season, Ayton has provided meaningful numbers for the Lakers. Looking at his current season averages, the big man is putting up 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting an efficient 69.2% from the field.
While Ayton’s numbers may not be on par with what Davis used to provide for the team, it’s definitely impactful to have a big man in the paint now. Apparently, Reaves also feels the same way regarding Ayton.
After the Lakers’ practice on Monday, Reaves had the opportunity to talk about Ayton with the media. The Lakers guard gave props to their big man and knows how important it is to have him in the lineup. Reaves also revealed that he and Ayton have established a friendship off the court as well.
“I think the main thing is just communication,” Reaves said about Ayton. “Being able to have a real relationship with him, not just about basketball, but just being able to talk to him and figure things out. We have a lot of conversations on the bench or in-game about what he sees or what I see to help our team be successful.”
“He’s been great for us,” Reaves continued. “The energy has been great. He’s f***ing excited.”
Austin Reaves on Deandre Ayton: “He’s been great for us. The energy has been great. He’s f***ing excited.” 😂 #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/aHjw9XprlG
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) November 17, 2025
Based on Reaves’ sentiments, his opinion isn’t far from what Ayton is statistically providing for the Lakers. On Nov. 3, the Lakers took on the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton’s former team. This was arguably the big man’s best performance so far this season. Ayton put up a double-double performance, adding 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. He also shot an efficient 73.6% from the field.
So far, Ayton has had four games in which he scored 20+ points. He was also in double figures in seven out of their 14 games this season. As a result, the big man has helped the Lakers secure a healthy 10-4 record. Ayton himself is also aware of the pressure he has been under.
“I’m against the whole world. That’s what y’all don’t get,” Ayton said in a conversation with The Athletic. “They say if this s*** don’t work out for me, this is my last year,” he said. “Everybody and they mama have been saying that.” The Lakers will surely need Ayton to be “DominAyton,” as Shaq had called him, to make some noise in the loaded West.