Anthony Davis’ departure from the Los Angeles Lakers last February (via a blockbuster trade to the Dallas Mavericks) was a tough blow to the franchise.
While the Lakers finally located a viable replacement for the 10-time All-Star, Lake Show Life’s Quinn Everts predicts that Los Angeles will shockingly move on from him before the trade deadline.
“The honeymoon phase has come to an anticlimactic end,” Everts wrote Saturday. “Maybe (Phoenix) Suns and (Portland) Blazers fans were right all along. Ayton, after an exciting start in which he appeared to be the perfect center for this team, has reverted to his passive, timid, uninterested self.”
“Yes, he's massively talented. That's always been part of the frustration. Because he doesn't use his talents to actually contribute; he'll hit a few midrange, fadeaway jumpshots and remind everyone why he was the No. 1 pick in 2018, then refuse to box out for a rebound or get aggressive in the low post.”
“Finding a trade partner for Ayton will be difficult because he's now on his third team, and the exact same issues have been present at each stop. Any deal involving the 7-footer will basically require the Lakers tricking another front office into believing they can actually solve him.”
After failing to complete a game-changing deal for former Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams and getting little to no production from ex-lottery pick Alex Len, the Lakers signed Ayton before the start of the 2025-26 season.
As Everts noted, Ayton doesn’t lack skill, but his hunger/aggression isn’t always present on the hardwood, resulting in many underwhelming performances.
Ayton, who’s averaging 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, is unquestionably a wild card in the Lakers’ frontcourt. With Los Angeles needing a more reliable and consistent big man with a higher motor, Ayton may find himself on the trade block sooner than later.
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