The Los Angeles Lakers finally added a starting center this offseason after LeBron James spent years asking for one. Former number one overall draft pick Deandre Ayton is a Laker and ready to prove he can impact winning at the highest level.
King James was certainly not the catalyst for the decision, but he finally got what he wanted.
Things immediately changed when Los Angeles sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to Dallas to acquire Luka Doncic. The Lakers immediately became Luka’s team, and the future got brighter. LA is not relying on LeBron to lift them in his 40s. Doncic is in his prime, and King James must accept it is no longer his team.
LeBron and AD wanted a big man capable of making an impact on both ends of the floor. The Lakers played Davis at the five, which created a constant push-and-pull. Things immediately changed with Luka. LA’s new superstar thrives with a rim protector and lob threat in the middle. With both stars benefitting from a skilled big man, the Lakers quickly made the move.
The Lakers finally got LeBron James the center he’s been asking for
LA traded for Mark Williams just days after landing Luka, but the deal was rescinded when the big man failed his physical. The trade deadline had already passed, so the Lakes were stuck without a trusted big man to close last season.
King James made the Lakers’ need clear after their first-round playoff exit without coming out and saying it. Nobody thought it would be Ayton, but the franchise needed a trust option to turn to when the games matter most.
The Blazers bought out Ayton, and he quickly signed with the Lakers this offseason.
The seven-footer helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021, but has struggled to replicate that impact. When locked in, Ayton is a force on both ends. There will be frustrating moments, but the Lakers did well to steal the 27-year-old from a conference rival.
LeBron will have no issues feeding Ayton easy buckets or letting him clean up misses at the rim. He has wanted a trusted big man since their bubble championship in 2020. Ayton is the Lakers’ most talented option in the King James era if you count Davis as a four, and both superstars are excited to have him in LA.
Deandre Ayton is playing for a massive payday. He is making just $8.1 million this season from the Lakers after earning $30-plus million per year on his previous deal. Ayton wants starting center money next offseason, but he has to earn it. That means locking in and helping the Lakers win. A motivated Ayton is just what King James has been asking for.
The Los Angeles Lakers improved their roster this offseason. Fans were disappointed by Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure, but the front office picked up Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Ayton. All three expect to play key roles as the Lakers try to leap into serious title contention.
Their stars should be happy after the franchise granted their wishes, but LeBron’s feelings will continue to be a topic of conversation.
He is in the final year of his contract, and it may be time for both sides to move on. LeBron James holds the cards.
It will be a talking point all season until his decision is made. All the Lakers can do is try to keep him content by giving in to some of his demands.
Count this one as a win, despite it being done primarily for Luka.
