The Los Angeles Lakes would already be staring down a doomsday scenario during the 2025-26 NBA season without Deandre Ayton. The best gift they could have gotten during this campaign is what the new starting center for Hollywood's team has given them.
Ayton arrived in Los Angeles with a bad rep. After his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, there were reports painting the now Lakers center in an ugly light. A diva, self-centered, immature — those were just some of the immediate takeaways from the depictions of his time with the Blazers.
None of that has been a problem with the Lakers thus far.