The Los Angeles Lakers made one of the boldest moves of the offseason when they dealt Anthony Davis to Dallas in the blockbuster that brought Luka Doncic to Hollywood. Losing Davis meant losing an All-NBA star who averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, and more than two blocks per game. On paper, it looked like a major step back.
But the front office quickly pivoted, signing former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton. The former No. 1 overall pick had just finished a difficult season where he played only 40 games. After a buyout freed him from his deal in Portland, Ayton landed in Los Angeles on a two-year contract with a player option.
While Ayton’s résumé doesn’t measure up to Davis’, the Lakers aren’t asking him to replace Davis’ scoring or versatility. They’re asking him to solve a different problem: size and consistency in the paint.
Why Ayton Could Be a Better Fit
According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Ayton’s sheer size gives the Lakers something they were missing. At seven feet tall and 252 pounds, Ayton provides a physical presence Davis couldn’t always deliver. “His job is simple: Use that size to give the Lakers a finisher, rebounder and rim protector,” Murray explained.
That straightforward role may actually work in Ayton’s favor. Davis often shifted between power forward and center, forcing the Lakers to adjust how they used him. Ayton, by contrast, has a narrow but clear job description: set screens, roll to the rim, catch lobs, and protect the basket.
That clarity could unlock Doncic’s playmaking even further. Pairing Luka’s vision with Ayton’s hands gives Los Angeles an easy source of offense. Add in Ayton’s career average of 10.5 rebounds, and the Lakers suddenly have the interior anchor they lacked after the All-Star break.
Of course, Ayton’s biggest question mark is health. His time in Portland raised concerns about durability. But if he stays on the court, the Lakers may have stumbled into a solution that makes them more balanced than before.
Instead of trying to be Anthony Davis, Ayton just has to be himself. And that might be exactly what Los Angeles needs.
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