The Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff spot in the 2024-25 season with a 50-32 record but were quickly eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, revealing significant weaknesses at the center position. To address this, the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal this offseason, aiming to bolster their inside presence, yet concerns about Ayton’s limitations persist.

Concerns Raised About Deandre Ayton’s Playing Style and Durability

Lakers insider Jovan Buha examined Ayton’s game in detail, highlighting persistent issues that may undermine the team’s championship aspirations. Ayton has struggled to maintain consistent availability, failing to play 70 games in any season since his rookie year. Over the last two seasons combined, he appeared in just 95 games, underscoring a troubling pattern of missed time.

Buha emphasized Ayton’s style as a “finesse big” who tends to shy away from physical confrontations and often avoids attacking the rim aggressively. Instead, Ayton favors jump shots over more assertive moves inside the paint, which raises questions about his effectiveness in a more demanding offensive system like the Lakers’. 

“He’s never averaged more than three free-throw attempts per game, despite averaging 30+ minutes every season of his career. And this stat shocked me. He shot zero free throws last season on his 52 post-ups per Second Spectrum, which is just wild to think about,”

Buha stated during his podcast.

This reluctance to draw fouls or drive forcefully to the basket limits Ayton’s ability to dominate physically and puts him at odds with the Lakers’ need for a strong interior presence. It also reduces his efficiency and makes it challenging to integrate him effectively alongside playmakers like Luka Dončić, whose style thrives on aggressive rim attacks and lob plays.

Decision-Making and Defensive Inconsistencies Pose Additional Risks

Buha also criticized Ayton’s decision-making, especially in fast-paced and high-pressure situations. Over his seven-year career, Ayton has recorded more turnovers than assists every season, suggesting difficulties in processing plays quickly and effectively.

“Passing is not a strength of his game. Then defensively, his motor, particularly on the defensive end, can be inconsistent. He can be undisciplined defensively, falling for shots and ball fakes, and then getting blown by on the perimeter or having to foul the ball handler because they get by him,”

Buha added during the podcast.

Such defensive lapses could disrupt the Lakers’ overall rhythm, especially under coach JJ Redick, whose system demands precise execution and strong defensive discipline. Ayton’s defensive box plus-minus statistic has been negative in four of his seven NBA seasons, reflecting struggles to consistently protect the rim and guard against elite opponents.

His vulnerabilities were exposed notably in the previous playoffs when Rudy Gobert, a dominant defensive center, capitalized on Ayton’s weaknesses, contributing to the Lakers’ early exit.

Social media has also documented concerns regarding Ayton’s effort and decision-making on defense. Mike Vigil, a basketball analyst, tweeted:

“This is what is frustrating about Deandre Ayton’s defense. These three plays show a clear lack of trying and bad decision making. Laziness should be completely intolerated from a number one pick. This HAS to get better. pic.twitter.com/9loUkwm54s”

—Mike Vigil, Basketball Analyst

Lakers Leadership Expresses Confidence Despite Criticism

Despite these critiques, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka remains optimistic about Ayton’s fit within the team. Pelinka noted the front office was highly active in securing a dependable center, and views Ayton as a key solution to that pursuit.

“Acquiring a starting-caliber center was the top priority for us this offseason, and we believe Deandre is an amazing solution to that objective and is an ideal player to add to our current core,”

Pelinka stated in a recent interview.

During his last season with Portland, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. The Lakers will be relying on those production levels as they aim to strengthen their roster around high-impact players and devise a strategy for the upcoming season.

Ultimately, the Lakers’ success in the next championship pursuit may hinge on whether Ayton can overcome his documented weaknesses—particularly his durability, physicality, decision-making, and defensive consistency. The team’s interior defense and overall offensive flow depend on significant improvements from him, with the season ahead poised to test his ability to rise to the occasion.