Deandre Ayton was thrilled to land with the Los Angeles Lakers after the Portland Trail Blazers wisely bought him out this past summer. During Lakers Media Day, he compared himself to a "wounded animal" on its last legs. He also added that he was "somewhere where it counts now," taking a not-so-subtle jab at the Blazers.
The most important takeaway was that Ayton was eager to prove himself on the big stage under the spotlight that comes from joining forces with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles market, and the historic Lakers franchise. But that same spotlight should have him regretting his decision right about now.