Deandre Ayton Discussion: This Is A Platform I Can't Run From

Well you’re not getting one from the draft and no one is likely trading us one for a reasonable price, considering all our other needs. We may draft one to contribute to the tandom of Ayton and Hayes which is a hell of a lot better than we had last year, especially with Hayes’s added strength.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Granted, we'd probably still need to do Center by Committee for the first year or two to let the rookie develop properly into the NBA.

Granted, IF this turn around from Ayton proves to be legit and something we can rely for the long term (which is a huge If imo), that would certainly make things a bit less stressful for us on Draft Night and offer us more directions we could go in with our pick selection. For example, if Ayton is our guy for the long haul, we could use our First on a wing or a smaller Big, rather than prioritizing getting a true 7 footer.

 

Ayton is looking at his career trajectory the wrong way.

I feel for Ayton because he's in the same age and draft as Luka so he sees Luka getting paid $60m per year and Ayton likely has to settle for around $8-12 million but the problem for Ayton is he thinks he's better than he really is. The simple fact that he is publicly complaining about shot attempts when he has Luka, Reaves, and LeBron on his team is already a horrible look for him. If he wants more shot attempts, he has to fix how he's scoring the ball.. So many times he catches the ball and he dips the ball down and it gets swiped. Maybe it's his long arms or whatever that he feels more comfortable bringing up the ball from there but if he just put the ball up ASAP instead of hesitating, the ball likely goes in rather than it gets swiped or he's holding onto the ball and then the Lakers have to scramble on offense.

Offensively, you can't run your offense through Ayton. He likes playing a halfcourt type system in a game where you need a faster-paced system.

He's trying to be LaMarcus Aldridge or something which is just not what teams are looking for in today's game. If I am Ayton, I am looking at what Rudy Gobert is doing and trying to match that... That's more in line with what Ayton should be playing like if he wants a long, serviceable, and profitable career. If he turns up his defense, rebounds like a machine, blocks more shots, and just becomes super efficient with his shot attempts, he will easily be able to get paid $25 million per year for the next 5 years. There's a shortage of centers like that.

If he thinks he can become the 22/10 guy where he's the 1st or 2nd focal point of the offense, he's going to find himself being a 2nd string center in the near future. A change in his mindset could unlock more opportunities for Ayton right now. He will be miserable and whining for the rest of his career if he goes that Aldridge route.