TITLE: JJ Redick Says Deandre Ayton Is “Frustrated” by Limited Offensive Touches
SLUG: jj-redick-says-deandre-ayton-frustrated-by-limited-offensive-touches
CONTENT:
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged Friday that starting center Deandre Ayton is growing uneasy with a shrinking role in the offense.
Ayton scored just four points and collected six rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Redick kept him on the bench for the entire fourth quarter, opting instead for backup Jaxson Hayes. Two nights earlier against the Detroit Pistons, Ayton managed 10 points and only two rebounds in 26 minutes.
“I think he’s frustrated. He doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball,” Redick told reporters, adding that both the center and his teammates share responsibility. “There are opportunities for him to duck in, and he’s not being active. There are opportunities for us to hit him, and we’re not hitting him.”
Redick said the Lakers need to establish Ayton early in each game, aiming to secure “at least a couple touches before the seven-minute mark” of the first quarter. He noted that when players believe they are being overlooked on offense, their focus on other areas—such as rebounding—often suffers. “That’s human nature for most NBA players,” the coach said.
Ayton opened the season as a reliable double-double threat, showcasing a productive mid-range game and efficient finishing around the rim. His recent dip in touches has coincided with a decline in production, and Redick admitted that keeping the 7-footer “active and engaged” is essential for the Lakers to avoid becoming one-dimensional.
The 25-year-old big man also emphasized his defensive responsibilities, saying he must hold himself and the team accountable on that end as Los Angeles searches for consistency.
Source: Lakers Nation
