Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton delivered 21 points and 13 rebounds in Tuesday’s 110-109 home loss to the Orlando Magic, yet doubts remain inside the organization about his willingness to embrace a more blue-collar role built on screening and rim running.
According to ESPN, the 27-year-old former No. 1 overall pick voiced frustration after that game, saying on his way to the locker room, “They’re trying to make me Clint Capela. I’m not no Clint Capela!” Team staffers believe Ayton is most effective when he focuses on what one source described as “dirt work” — setting hard screens, rolling to the rim, rebounding, sprinting back on defense and communicating coverages.
A Western Conference scout told ESPN, “He picks and chooses when he wants to lock in and play,” suggesting inconsistent engagement has prevented Ayton from becoming a dominant NBA center. The issue resurfaced Thursday, when Ayton finished with just two points, four rebounds and a minus-24 rating over 23 minutes in a 113-110 defeat to the Phoenix Suns.
Front-office moves
The Lakers recently hired longtime University of Virginia head coach Tony Bennett as a draft advisor. The Athletic reports Bennett will not run the draft room or scouting department; instead, he will provide input on prospects known for toughness, energy and basketball IQ while the club seeks to bolster its pipeline of young talent.
Expanding the college scouting staff, developing a modern pro scouting group and enlarging the analytics department are additional priorities as new majority owner Mark Walter adds executives to the front office, The Athletic noted.
Team still “a work in progress”
Head coach JJ Redick labeled the Lakers “a work in progress” after the club concluded a 4-4 homestand with Tuesday’s loss to Orlando, the Southern California News Group reported. That theme persisted Thursday, when Los Angeles fell to a Suns team missing its top two scorers, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. Following the setback, guard Austin Reaves said the players’ frustration level is “very high,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Lakers will try to regain momentum as they continue a season marked by flashes of promise and recurring questions about roles, consistency and roster construction.
Source: Hoops Rumors
