The Deandre Ayton honeymoon phase appears to be lasting longer than usual for the Los Angeles Lakers. Through about a month of the NBA season, the former Blazers' center is still a fan favorite among Lakers fans, who are already running victory laps after acquiring Ayton via the buyout market this summer.
Is this yet another flash in the pan that will eventually lead to frustration for Lakers fans when Ayton turns back into the infuriating player Blazers fans know him to be? Or is being flanked by LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves taking enough pressure off Ayton as an offensive weapon that he's found the perfect role for himself?
I'm still inclined to lean toward the first one — Ayton has produced impressive stretches in the past. That's what makes him so frustrating in the first place — the fact that he can play like this on occasion. However, I wouldn't be shocked at this point if the latter proved true, and Ayton really did post a solid year with the Lakers.
Being the center who receives the scraps from three ball-dominant megastars could be the perfect Deandre Ayton role. No one is really paying attention to him, and he's (at best) the fourth name on the scouting report. That will lead to plenty of open dunks — and this is the role he should have been playing all along!
Deandre Ayton looks like a former No. 1 pick... For now
He's playing that role to perfection so far, to be fair. After a 20-point, 14-rebound game on Tuesday night, Ayton is now averaging 16.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and shooting 69.2% from the field. He's been exactly what Rob Pelinka, LeBron James, and Lakers fans alike imagined him to be when they added him off waivers.
I don't contain enough spite to hope that Deandre Ayton turns into a pumpkin with the Lakers. Really, I hold no ill will against him after his tenure with the Blazers. It's not like he was the difference between this team missing the playoffs and winning the NBA Finals, to be fair.
But I still caution Lakers fans from falling in love with his game too much. All the thrilling parts of Ayton's skillset also act as the most frustrating parts when they suddenly disappear at the snap of a finger.
LeBron James is already enjoying playing with Deandre Ayton
Last night, in their first game together, LeBron James threw two flawless passes to Ayton for two easy finishes. Ayton did mention that wasn't the first lob they've connected on, though. Luka Doncic also fed him on a picture-perfect alley-oop over a defender's head.
He's going to get a lot of these looks with the Lakers, as he's now playing with two of the three best passers he's ever played with (the other being Chris Paul, of course). Austin Reaves is probably close to cracking the top five of that list already, too.
As always, it will be on Ayton to get out of his own way to find consistent success. Right now, he's doing that. If he can do it for a whole season, it will be uncharted territory for the former Blazers center.