The Los Angeles Lakers took a massive gamble on bringing Deandre Ayton in to be their solution at the center position for 2025-26. That risk comes with a necessity for Ayton evolve, and not repeat habits of old that would bring rise to a significant downside for the Lakers.
Ayton's role for the team should be simple. The Lakers center will be finishing opportunities created for him on the offensive end, while being the last line of defense on the other. Both of those adjustments would involve Ayton embracing something new, or otherwise out of his comfort zone.