HOUSTON — Deandre Ayton’s journey with the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of recalibration, a process of finding his role within a team brimming with star power. After a recent stretch of strong performances, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick appears to have fully embraced his assignment, declaring he is “110 percent” bought in, as he told The Athletic. This commitment comes at a crucial time for the Lakers, who are currently 43-25 and riding a nine-game winning streak as they push towards the NBA playoffs.
The shift in mindset, Ayton explained, came after a tricky road loss to the Denver Nuggets. He realized he needed to focus less on individual scoring and more on the foundational aspects of the game – defense, rebounding and relentless effort. It’s a transformation that hasn’t always been smooth, with moments where his role and impact have fluctuated, even leading to stretches on the bench.
Deandre Ayton, Luka Dončić and LeBron James celebrate after defeating the Denver Nuggets (Mar. 14)
Finding a New Role in Los Angeles
Ayton’s path to full buy-in wasn’t immediate. He acknowledged that there were times he felt like an outsider, the “odd man out” as he put it, while teammates like LeBron James and Luka Dončić consistently performed at a high level. He even found himself benched at times, with reserves Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber seeing playing time in his place, and the Lakers occasionally opting to play without a traditional center.
Though, head coach JJ Redick has shown faith in Ayton, reinserting him into the lineup against the Houston Rockets on Monday when the Lakers were struggling on the glass. Ayton responded with the kind of impactful play the team needs – securing rebounds, setting screens, and providing a defensive presence. This willingness to contribute even after periods on the bench speaks to his renewed commitment.
The Internal Shift: Defense Over Scoring
A key element of Ayton’s transformation has been a conscious decision to prioritize defense and effort over individual scoring. “I scratched that, I took that out,” Ayton said, describing his shift in focus. “I said… when it comes to scoring, we don’t need that. We need you to put that energy what you have for offense and into defense.”
This realization came after some honest self-reflection. Ayton admitted to looking in the mirror and recognizing that his role on this Lakers team wasn’t to be the primary scorer. Instead, he needed to be the “effort guy,” the player who consistently brings energy and physicality to every possession. He described his new mindset as “having fun” and embracing the challenge of impacting the game in ways that don’t always show up in the box score.
Lakers’ Playoff Push and Ayton’s Impact
The timing of Ayton’s renewed commitment couldn’t be better. The Lakers are in the midst of a crucial stretch of games as they solidify their playoff positioning. Their recent six-game winning streak and nine wins in their last ten games demonstrate the team’s momentum, with Ayton playing a significant role in those victories. He’s delivered key performances, including a 23-point, 10-rebound game against the Chicago Bulls, a strong defensive effort against Nikola Jokić, and a crucial closing shift against the Rockets.
Wednesday marked Ayton’s 60th game of the season, his most since his final season with the Phoenix Suns. While his minutes, points, and rebounds are at career lows, Ayton understands that being part of a playoff team and contributing to meaningful basketball is what he sought when he joined the Lakers. He’s embracing the challenge and enjoying the process of finding his place within a team loaded with talent.
“I was energized, and I was having fun,” Ayton said. “So I really like that the team is trusting me, man. I just don’t want to lose the trust, bro. That’s really what’s getting my juices going and me biting my fingernails waiting to acquire back in the damn game for real.”
The Lakers’ success hinges on finding the right balance between their stars – LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves – and maximizing the contributions of players like Ayton. As the playoffs approach, Ayton’s willingness to embrace his role and focus on the fundamentals will be critical to the Lakers’ chances of making a deep run.
The Lakers will continue their pursuit of a top playoff seed on Friday, March 21st, when they face the Golden State Warriors at home. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if Ayton can maintain his newfound energy and continue to be a key contributor as the Lakers navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
Dan Woike covers the Los Angeles Lakers for The Athletic. He’s written about professional basketball in Los Angeles since 2011, first for the Orange County Register and most recently for the Los Angeles Times. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the Pro Basketball Writers Association, the Los Angeles Press Club and the California News Publishers Association. He’s originally from Chicago. Follow Dan on Twitter @DanWoikeSports
