Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney recently discussed NBA teams that have had surprising starts to the season on The Bill Simmons Podcast. The Los Angeles Lakers made the list as they now sit tied for second in the Western Conference with a 17-6 record. Luka Doncic is playing at an MVP level, Austin Reaves continues his star ascension, and JJ Redick is vindicating their decision to hire a podcaster as head coach.
That said, it's easy to poke holes in this Lakers roster to see why they shouldn't be considered genuine contenders, and why this hot start to the season may not be sustainable. At the top of that list is starting center Deandre Ayton.
The Deandre Ayton experience is not a sustainable one
Simmons pointed out Ayton's unreliable play, or, as he put it, his tendency to turn "into a pumpkin," as the main thing the Lakers should be concerned about.
"The thing I would worry about if I was them is just the Ayton turning into a pumpkin," Simmons said. "He's now at the point where it seems like the Lakers fans actually trust him a little bit, and that's the most dangerous place to be with Deandre Ayton, so just be careful."
Ayton has admittedly been playing well in his new home, averaging 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting a career high 70.6% from the field. But that's because things are going well!
Portland Trail Blazers fans who endured 21- and 36-win seasons with Ayton saw firsthand how much his motor, effort, and consistency depended on the team's overall play. He's become a key piece of what the Lakers are trying to accomplish this season with their lack of reliable center options. But Simmons, despite his Celtics bias, is absolutely right: that should concern Lakers fans.
This is very much a honeymoon phase, as Ayton hasn't faced any true adversity yet with the Lakers. He's no stranger to disappearing into a "pumpkin," and there are undeniably risks associated with him either regressing or losing interest, especially given how important he's become in LA. So while it's great the Lakers found a band-aid solution to salvage their season, Ayton's not a viable long-term starting option.
Franchises will inevitably go through rough stretches throughout the years, and Ayton is not the type of player who can remain a constant through thick and thin. His highs and lows as a player are overly dependent on team circumstances. And that's just not a sustainable formula. Phoenix and Portland already made this realization, and that's why the former No. 1 overall pick is now elsewhere.