Out of the free agent signings the Los Angeles Lakers made this past summer, Deandre Ayton has stood out as the best addition thanks to his strong two-way play through the first part of the 2025-26 season.
Ayton was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, but immediately found a new home in Los Angeles where the roster was in desperate need of a true big man. The Lakers were bounced out of the playoffs last year largely in part due to their lack of interior size, but so far Ayton looks like the perfect solution.
Recently, Los Angeles was able to pull of a thrilling win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers and 76ers were embroiled in a close matchup throughout the evening, though LeBron James was able to close things out in the clutch.
Outside of James’ heroics, Ayton was a large part of the win thanks to his defense. Head coach JJ Redick made sur to praise the center following the win via Spectrum SportsNet:
“We give up 60 points in the first half and then to come back in the second half and defend the way we did was awesome. I thought DA, in particular, led on that end of the floor for us. We just talked about it in the locker room, he did a ton of stuff. He was in drop being disruptive, he was getting loose balls, he was blocking shots, he was switching on to Maxey. Just whatever we needed him to do on that end of the floor in the second floor he is great.”
Ayton hasn’t always been known as a great defender during his career, but with the Lakers he’s shown a willingness and ability to execute several different coverages. Against Philadelphia, Ayton drew the tough assignment of guarding Joel Embiid but he was also around to defend the paint and deter shots.
With his combination of size, length and mobility Ayton can be a great rim protector when he wants to be. While the Lakers are still a middle-of-the-road team defensively, Ayton has fit the bill and it’ll be exciting to see if he can keep this up the rest of the way.
Deandre Ayton evaluates first quarter of Lakers’ season
Through the first quarter of the 2025-26 season, the Lakers are sitting tied for second place in the Western Conference. Deandre Ayton has helped the team win several of their games and he offered a positive review of their first quarter of the regular season.
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