The Portland Trail Blazers were eager to dump Deandre Ayton in the offseason, and Los Angeles is quickly figuring out why. Ayton’s issues in Rip City were well-documented (subscription required). The former number one overall pick always put up numbers, but his impact on the team can be problematic. Luka Doncic wanted a pick-and-roll partner and was eager to see the Lakers sign Ayton. Now, the issues are quickly mounting.
Los Angeles is far too reliant on Ayton. Jaxson Hayes is their only other big man, and he can’t be trusted to play significant minutes in the biggest moments. Barring a trade, the Lakers are counting on Ayton to be their center, and Blazers fans know how this will end.
Portland has zero regrets about dumping Ayton. His defense remains a problem and has Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick contemplating solutions. The on-off stats and eye test tell a tale that Blazers fans know.
Deandre Ayton’s defense is a problem for Luka Doncic and the Lakers
Ayton is averaging 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 29.6 minutes per game during his first season in Los Angeles. He is shooting a career-high 70.9 percent from the field as Luka’s pick-and-roll partner. Fans know how much attention number 77 draws, so this should be no shock.
With all those positives, the Lakers have a negative net rating in Ayton’s minutes and a 120.0 defensive rating. They are 1.5 points per 100 possessions better when the big man sits. The defensive rating dips to 122.4 when he’s playing with LeBron James. The Lakers aren’t a true title contender because of their porous defense, and the man in the middle is the first place they should look to improve it.
Luka thrives playing with a lob threat and needs a defensive anchor in the middle to clean up for his lapses. It is why he wanted the Lakers to add Ayton. The seven-footer was selected over Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft and is loaded with talent. It has never been about that. Blazers fans saw the numbers, too. The head-scratching plays and defensive lapses are what force teams to pull their hair out.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie talked in-depth about the Lakers' woes on a recent episode of his Game Theory podcast, including the problems with using Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and LeBron on the floor together. The 41-year-old can’t give the consistent effort necessary, and the other two struggle in help situations. LA is 29th in defensive rating over their last 15 games.
The Blazers were 4.8 points per 100 possessions worse on defense last season with Ayton. It was a significant factor in Portland buying him out. They want to build a strong defensive identity and realized that was impossible with Ayton manning the middle.
The Lakers can’t contend with a defensive rating in the 120s, and the only solution is dumping Deandre Ayton. Luka Doncic has quickly found out that his talent doesn’t make up for the questionable defensive IQ and lack of help around the rim. Ayton is putting up numbers, but the only thing LA cares about is wins. They are struggling to compete with the best teams because Ayton is not doing enough defensively.
Portland Trail Blazers fans know this story all too well. Deandre Ayton’s effort has improved in Los Angeles, but he can’t make up for his flaws. The Lakers are a bad defensive team and have no chance of making a deep playoff run with Ayton in the middle. Luka Doncic is sadly finding out, and will put pressure on LA to make changes. Blazers fans hope they ride it out, but will have to stay tuned to see how it all plays out.