Few, if any, players in the NBA will have an easier environment to thrive in next season than Deandre Ayton. The Los Angeles Lakers new starting center has not enjoyed a gift-wrapped situation like this since his days with the Phoenix Suns.
If this union between Ayton and the Lakers does not work out, it would put a significant dark cloud over the rest of the playing days for the former first overall pick. Zach Lowe painted a clear picture when discussing the matter on a recent episode of his podcast.
Lowe said, “Ayton, if you can’t make this work, playing for a contract with these two dudes [Luka Doncic and LeBron James], … all you got to do is screen, roll, finish and play defense. You’re going to make $25 million a year [if] you just do that.”
The NBA analyst joked after that if that is not a feasible task for Ayton, then Europe and putting up 30 points per game would be his next chapter following Los Angeles. As much as Lowe was overselling the matter to make a point, there is some truth to be found in that assessment.
Deandre Ayton needs to hit his ceiling to secure NBA future
Perhaps the conversation of going to Europe is a touch overboard. However, it is important to remember the circumstances under which Ayton arrived in Los Angeles.
The former Portland Trail Blazers center was bought out by his old team. What followed him through the exit was a long list of concerns regarding his character.
Since then, the union between Ayton and the Lakers has been approached with cautious optimism. If the 27-year-old can just keeps things simple offensively, the fit will be fine. If JJ Redick can properly position him defensively, the Lakers could get a game-changer on that end.
Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract with the Lakers after his buyout from the Trail Blazers. The second year of that deal involves a player option for the big man.
That means a couple of things for Ayton. Firstly, should the need be there, the Lakers big man can get two cracks at proving his long-term worth on the free agent market.
Secondly, if the performances meet expectations in 2025-26, Ayton will not have to take that route. One great season of playing his role in Los Angeles should position the seven-year pro to opt out of his current contract in search of a much better one.
$8.1 million on average is certainly nothing to scoff at, especially in the climate of the current CBA. However, this is a man who is coming off a max money contract. The only way to approach that salary figure again with his next deal is to make the most of the favorable circumstances in front of him.