In one of the most loaded draft classes in recent memory, the NBA was shaken to its core by the talent that came into the league in 2018. However, one of the more puzzling parts of that draft, at least in hindsight, is the first two picks. Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley haven’t chartered the course most anticipated for them.
While Bagley has barely held on as a role player, Ayton has gotten opportunities with multiple teams over the course of his career. But he hasn’t been able to put it all together so far, including in his latest stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. After some incendiary comments before their loss to the Phoenix Suns, one analyst broke down the missing piece.
Deandre Ayton Not Embracing His Role Is Making Matters Worse for the Lakers
For his career, the Baylor product averages 16.1 points and 10.2 rebounds on nearly 60% shooting from the field. This season, those numbers have been slightly worse, as he’s currently at 13 points and 8.4 rebounds on 66.5%.
While some of the blame could boil down to the ball handlers not affording him enough opportunities, the bigger fault lies with Ayton himself. Even with his obvious advantages in terms of size and athleticism, he hasn’t been able to put it all together.
Add a lack of attention to detail and a drive to do the little things, and he hasn’t been the seamless fit most people anticipated when he first joined the Lakers. Before the game against the Suns, though, he spoke candidly about his frustration.
Claiming that LA was trying to use him as a rim-running lob threat in the mold of Clint Capela, he appeared visibly frustrated with his role. Unfortunately, even against the team that drafted him, his performance left a lot to be desired.
A porous defensive night, combined with just 2 points, 4 rebounds, and a -24 rating in a three-point loss, made Ayton one of the biggest reasons the Lakers lost that game.
Kevin O’Connor broke down the simple solution at hand.”If Ayton just embraced a Capela role, he’d make himself ten of millions. Seems so obvious. But he just doesn’t get it, even being paired with Luka. Real sad.”
However, he also added the very real and very scary possibility that was approaching the former first overall pick. “And as @CanyonDriver said, there are multiple centers in this draft that would that’ll be available when the Lakers pick.”
As a little things guy who could cover some of their defensive deficiencies while being a constant threat around the rim for shot creators like Dončić and LeBron James, the upside with Ayton is immense. However, he isn’t willing to embrace that role just yet, to the detriment of his team, and more crucially, himself.
