LA Lakers X-Factor For The 2025-26 Season - Deandre Ayton

After being bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, one of the least surprising moves of the summer, DeAndre Ayton joined the LA Lakers. Playing alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James presents an intriguing redemption story for the former number one overall pick. While his career hasn’t quite matched expectations set when the Phoenix Suns drafted him in 2018, his arrival in Los Angeles could provide him with the perfect opportunity to prove himself all over again.

While it is clear that Doncic is the best player from the 2018 draft class, the addition of Ayton may be exactly what the superstar guard needs to bring an 18th championship banner to the Lakers organization. Although he has played with some talented teammates in both Phoenix and Portland, none have had the playmaking ability of Doncic, who should be able to create numerous opportunities that play into Ayton’s strengths of finishing around the rim, offensive rebounding, and creating space off the pick-and-roll.

Playing with James offers Ayton a veteran leader who can maximize the big man’s talents while demanding accountability. Having played with a variety of talented centers over the course of his legendary career, James should be able to help elevate Ayton’s ability to read the game better offensively and defensively. 

With career averages of 16 points and 10 rebounds, Ayton is far from the “bust” that many label him as, providing solid yet unspectacular production. While he has shown flashes of dominance that attracted the Suns to make him the top pick, he has struggled with consistency and intensity throughout his career. Joining the win-now Lakers, who are looking to compete for a title in James’s final years, could provide the motivation that has been lacking.

As the Lakers' starting center, the team hopes that Ayton can fill the void of an interior presence on both ends of the court. His size, athleticism, rebounding, and defensive versatility make him the perfect complement to the Lakers' stars. If the change of scenery and star-studded supporting cast can bring out Ayton’s full potential, he could salvage a questionable career, becoming the Lakers’ X-factor to a potential championship run.