The Athletic's Dan Wolke recently published a piece titled "Deandre Ayton is winning with the Lakers, and he loves that you're watching." It's a fitting title, really, as it highlights how much Ayton loves the spotlight that comes with the Los Angeles market and the historic Lakers franchise.
Ayton expressed similar excitement when he initially joined the Lakers after being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, saying he was "somewhere where it counts" now.
Those not-so-subtle jabs at Portland continued in Wolke's piece, with Ayton saying he felt like he "disappeared" in Portland before joining the Lakers.
"This is where people make their names, and this is where people get to see you play for real," Ayton said. "It's a big stage, and I'm truly happy to be back."
Deandre Ayton still doesn't get it
The Lakers and Ayton are a perfect fit in terms of the spotlight appealing to his ego. I think it's a one-way street, though, as rumors have already surfaced in his first season about how they view Ayton as a stopgap rather than a long-term solution at the center position.
He's never going to be the ideal pick-and-roll lob threat that fits with superstar Luka Doncic. In fact, head coach JJ Redick has even benched Ayton on multiple occasions throughout the season, despite their lack of frontcourt depth. Redick has either played small-ball or Jaxson Hayes, the same formula that clearly didn't work in last year's playoffs.
As talented as Ayton is as a former No. 1 overall pick, it doesn't quite translate to winning. Whether it's a lack of motor, awareness, or hustle that disappears when he isn't getting enough offensive touches, the production doesn't match the talent. Redick even mentioned that Ayton was frustrated earlier in the season as he wasn't a focal point of the offense. That's going to happen when you are playing with three offensive-minded stars!
The thing about Ayton finally being in the spotlight he craves is that it also means more people are seeing his flaws. This was probably the most criticized season of his entire career, as more people became aware of the valid frustrations that Suns and Blazers fans had previously expressed.
Blazers are better off without Deandre Ayton
To his credit, Ayton has been servicable in the Lakers' playoff run, averaging a double-double in 30.6 minutes per game. Redick seems to trust him more than he did at the start of the season (in part because he has extremely limited options due to the Lakers' flawed roster construction).
That said, the Blazers should feel fantastic about their decision to buy out Ayton, with him forfeiting $10 million of this year's salary in the process.
Ayton's departure paved the way for Donovan Clingan's increased role and breakout season. Now, the Blazers have a true two-way center to build around. One that is much lower maintenance, knowing that he's part of building something special in Rip City.
That was never going to happen with Ayton in the picture, and these latest unnecessary shots at Portland should be even further proof that this was ultimately an addition by subtraction last summer.
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