Deandre Ayton is stepping into a pretty sweet situation with the Lakers going from some rocky seasons to suddenly lining up next to LeBron James, an all-time legend, and Luka Doncic, who’s got all the tools to become one himself. It’s safe to say that’s a huge upgrade in the teammates department.

But what really got people talking was what Ayton had to say before the move became official. He didn’t just praise Doncic’s game, he made sure to sneak in some solid praise as well, commending the Slovenian for his physique in the off-season.

While speaking to the media about teaming up with Doncic, Ayton said, “Luka is a once-in-a-generation player and I’m happy to be his teammate. Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped and I’m finally glad to be on his side.”

Deandre Ayton on playing with fellow 2018 draftee Luka Doncic on the Lakers: “Luka is a once-in-a-generation player and I’m happy to be his teammate. Hearing about the kind of shape he’s been in, he’s super ripped and I’m finally glad to be on his side”

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 8, 2025
It’s no secret around the league that the Mavericks let Doncic go partly because they weren’t exactly thrilled with his fitness habits. Word is, the front office felt he wasn’t staying in shape like they wanted; they thought he was carrying too much extra weight and ignoring their push to slim down and level up.

So when Ayton called Doncic “super ripped” after joining the Lakers, it was more than just a compliment. It was a not-so-subtle jab at all the people doubting his fitness levels and his dedication to the sport.

On the flip side, moving on from Doncic did open the door for the Mavericks to snag Cooper Flagg in the 2025 draft.

And let’s be real, if Flagg lives up to even half the hype he’s getting right now, Dallas might not be losing too much sleep over letting Doncic go. A few years down the road, this could look like a gamble that actually paid off big time for the Mavs.