Deandre Ayton Sees Opportunity to Flourish Alongside Luka Doncic with Lakers
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LOS ANGELES — Speaking at the Los Angeles Lakers’ media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Sept. 29, 2025, newly signed center Deandre Ayton said sharing the floor with Luka Doncic should streamline his responsibilities on offense.
“I’ve proven I’m at my best with elite playmakers, and I’m back in that position,” the 27-year-old said. “The game is much easier to me now, and playing alongside Luka is going to make a lot of things easier.”
Ayton, acquired on a below-market contract after a summer buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, is viewed by general manager Rob Pelinka as a low-risk, high-reward addition. The former No. 1 overall pick helped the Phoenix Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals and is expected to bolster a Lakers frontcourt that struggled for consistent production last season.
With Doncic and LeBron James orchestrating the offense, Los Angeles projects to run more pick-and-roll sets where Ayton has historically excelled. The 7-footer also provides a low-post option that the Lakers lacked when opponents sagged off Jaxson Hayes in 2024-25.
Defensively, new head coach JJ Redick will look to Ayton to anchor the paint. Team defense remains a question, and Redick has yet to announce his starting lineup.
Calling this “the biggest opportunity” of his career, Ayton said he embraces the pressure of playing for a franchise with championship ambitions. “We’re here to emphasize the true nature of the game,” he added.
Source: Lakers Nation
