When the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to sign Deandre Ayton, the move drew intrigue and scrutiny in equal measure. The Lakers desperately needed frontcourt help, and Ayton is someone who can fill those gaps.
Yet some fans and analysts raised concerns about his effort level, and ESPN analyst and former NBA star Kendrick Perkins challenged Ayton to prove his worth with the Lakers.
Kendrick Perkins Sends Warning to Deandre Ayton Regarding Lakers Tenure
Speaking on ESPN’s Road Trippin, Perkins emphasized the gravity of the situation for Ayton: This could be his last opportunity to prove himself on the league’s grandest stage. “He better come here with the right mindset. This could possibly be his last shot,” Perkins warned.
Contextualizing this within the challenges Ayton will face once the 2025-26 season starts, Perkins reminded him of the dominant centers the Western Conference already possesses, including Nikola Jokić, Alperen Şengün, and Anthony Davis.
Perkins continued, “You got your hands full! It should be a moment where you go in and check yourself and say, you know what, I’m about to lock in.”
Perk’s advice to Ayton: Don’t waste this shot with the Lakers, it could be your last👀 pic.twitter.com/DfOwO9SDoy
— Road Trippin’ Show🎧 (@RoadTrippinPod) July 4, 2025
Perkins also stressed that Lakers fans and legends would be watching him and expect consistency and effort from him in all moments, big and small.
“People need to see that you’re committed to the little things. You’ve got a tough Western Conference; forget the league! You have a great responsibility. The Lakers is one of the most storied franchises in sports. You got Magic Johnson… watching your a**. You gotta go out there and produce at a high level. You cannot fool the Lakers organization.”
Ayton Has an Image To Rebuild
Although Ayton averaged respectable numbers last season — 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds — it went down as one of the least productive seasons of his career. There were many inconsistencies in his journey.
There were problems with reluctance and effort, reported by multiple sources. Per league rumors, Ayton did not fit in with the Trail Blazers’ culture, with 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.
He was well-known for his tardiness. He skipped rehab programs, slammed chairs, and engaged in other shocking antics. Both the Suns and Portland decided to cut ties with him because of these issues.
He did encounter many challenges, which could or could not have been in his control. A notable incident involved an air mattress, with him telling The Oregonian, “I didn’t have a bed for quite some time… just trying to figure this out.”
He blamed his poor performance on a situation that could have been handled more gracefully. He did have the money and resources.
Sometime after this, he shocked the league again by missing a crucial game against the Nets because a sheet of ice blocked his driveway. He claimed to have spent hours trying to get through, with the Blazers even sending someone to help him, but he could not make it to the arena in time. This particular incident not only raised eyebrows but sparked a lot of ridicule.
Perkins’ warning perhaps comes at the right time, well ahead of the next season, giving Ayton ample time to work on any potential issues he may have.