All offseason, the talks surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers was about their desire to get an ideal center to pair with Luka Doncic and the team made the move to do just that in agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal for Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. But now another question has emerged regarding the future of last year’s starter Deandre Ayton.
Ayton opted in to the second year of his contract with the Lakers for $8.2 million and some believed that perhaps a trade was on the way. But as it currently stands, the Lakers reportedly are viewing him as their backup center, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
He’s the backup C as of now per my understanding https://t.co/o5DK0QqxSo
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 1, 2026
Ayton came under a lot of scrutiny last season for his desired role, but he did have a solid showing overall for the team, especially down the stretch of the year and in the first-round of the playoffs once he accepted his role and what the team needed from him. But with the team not only trading for Kessler, but also signing stretch big Sandro Mamukelashvili, it is a bit surprising to see them considering keeping Ayton around.
While he certainly isn’t the same player as Kessler, he is someone who primarily operates in the paint and is a physical presence that doesn’t stretch the floor so there are some similarities. But Kessler is a much better rim protector and a more traditional pick-and-roll partner that just seems to fit better with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Perhaps the Lakers plan to play Mamukelashvili more at the power forward with his ability to stretch the floor and see Ayton as someone who can operate a bit more in his desired role coming off the bench. In short spurts and with less pressure on him to be a defensive anchor, Ayton could thrive as a reserve.
There is still plenty of time left in the offseason for the Lakers to make some moves and clear things up, but as it currently stands, Ayton will remain in the purple and gold and it will be on head coach JJ Redick to figure out the roles and rotations of his big men.
Lakers add Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton in free agency
In addition to the frontcourt acquisitions, the Lakers also added a pair of players to bolster the backcourt in wing Quentin Grimes and point guard Collin Sexton.
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