Los Angeles Lakers added Deandre Ayton this offseason to address their interior defensive struggles, but ESPN analyst Dave McMenamin warns that the team‘s vulnerability at center remains unresolved. Despite Ayton’s arrival, McMenamin believes the Lakers’ weakness inside—which contributed to their early playoff exit in 2025—could once again derail their championship ambitions in the 2025-26 NBA season.
Interior Challenges Persist Despite Ayton’s Addition
The Lakers sought to fix their glaring deficiency at center by signing Deandre Ayton, aiming to strengthen their interior defense after a disappointing 2025 playoff run. However, McMenamin remains unconvinced that this change will be enough to alter the team’s fate once the new season begins. He expressed skepticism about the Lakers’ defensive frontcourt.
Nothing the Lakers do is under the radar, so this potential pitfall might seem more obvious than the other contenders’ concerns,
McMenamin said.
But until proved otherwise, L.A. is soft in the middle.
Fans recall how that weakness was exploited by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 playoffs. In Game 3 of their first-round series, Minnesota dominated inside, scoring 56 points in the paint compared to just 26 for the Lakers, highlighting the physical mismatch. This inside domination extended beyond scoring, as the Timberwolves controlled rebounds and physically wore down Los Angeles’ guards.
Rudy Gobert’s presence epitomized the Lakers’ interior struggles. In the decisive Game 5, Gobert registered 27 points and 24 rebounds, a dominant performance that sealed the Lakers’ early exit. The Lakers’ rotation also raised concerns—coach JJ Redick showed little trust in his big men, limiting Jaxson Hayes to under 10 minutes per game and benched him completely in the series decider. Without a consistent rim protector, Los Angeles appeared unable to withstand the relentless assault inside.
Although Ayton is expected to serve as that defensive anchor, McMenamin doubts this will materialize, leaving the Lakers’ middle exposed heading into the Western Conference’s competitive environment.
The Complex Reality of Ayton’s Fit with the Lakers
On paper, Ayton seems like a solid addition. At 27 years old, he has career averages of 16.4 points on 59% shooting, along with 10.5 rebounds and one block per game. The Lakers signed him to a two-year, $16.6 million contract after his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers, making his acquisition a cost-effective move considering his potential impact.
Despite these impressive statistics, his track record raises red flags. Since missing a critical elimination game due to a rib injury during the 2023 playoffs with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton has struggled to assert himself in crucial moments. His recent tenure with the Blazers was unhappy, marked by reports of tardiness, missed rehabilitation sessions, and conflicts within the locker room.
Defensive consistency is another concern. Critics argue Ayton does not consistently provide elite rim protection, an essential quality for a team desperate to shore up its interior defense. This lingering question about his defensive impact threatens to undermine the Lakers’ hopes of having a reliable presence in the paint.
The team‘s backup options do little to ease worries. While Jaxson Hayes remains a secondary choice, Maxi Kleber is returning from a significant foot injury, and Jarred Vanderbilt—L.A.’s small-ball defender—appeared in only 36 games during the 2024-25 season, creating a fragile frontcourt depth chart.
The Lakers’ challenge is clear: Ayton must deliver more than on-paper numbers. They need a center capable of surviving the physical toll of deep playoff runs, protecting the rim with authority, and bolstering the team‘s interior strength. Until he demonstrates this on the court, McMenamin believes the Lakers remain vulnerable where it hurts most.
Facing a tough Western Conference, the Lakers’ unresolved interior fragility could be a costly liability if not addressed, threatening to repeat the disappointments of recent postseason failures.