The Los Angeles Lakers did accomplish the task of getting Luka Doncic a starting center for the 2025-26 NBA season. Is Deandre Ayton a long-term match? That much remains unclear. Can the Lakers do better? That much is obvious, and the answer is yes.
Ayton is fine. The former Portland Trail Blazers center is certainly an upgrade over what the Lakers were dealing with last season. The new starting big man in Los Angeles averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 30.2 minutes per game during 40 appearances for the Blazers in 2024-25.
There may be some optimism Ayton can fully turn the corner in Los Angeles.