Udonis Haslem has raised an important point on the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Deandre Ayton.
The LA Lakers were in the market for a center, as Rob Pelinka stated the need for one after the team’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
Clint Capela, Al Horford, and Brook Lopez were all linked with moves to LA, but after Deandre Ayton’s exit from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers decided to bring him in.
The first overall pick in the 2018 draft has divided the NBA community, with many rating the move, but some, like former player Udonis Haslem, are not sure if Ayton will move the needle for the Lakers.
Ayton had a solid start to the 2024-25 season, but injuries meant that he appeared in only 40 games for the team.
He ended up averaging 14.4 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game, but stories of him being late to practices kept surfacing.
Kendrick Perkins claimed the Lakers’ move was a big chance for Ayton to prove his ability as an NBA difference-maker.
While there is no doubt Ayton has the talent, former Miami Heat player Haslem does not believe he fits well alongside the Lakers’ star trio.
“You want to roll your a__ to the basket when you play with them boys. Listen, the ball is going to be in Luka’s hands, the ball is going to be in LeBron’s hands, and Austin Reaves,” Haslem said on the OG Podcast.
“As much as I like the fact they got size, cause they needed size. I just don’t know if that is the run. Can Deandre Ayton be a guy who can roll to the basket and catch lobs?
“Yes, he can, but does he have the drive to do that? Cause you have to have a motor, every single time to sprint up, set that screen, roll to the basket with a motor, and you might not get it.”
Ayton was not so long ago a key piece of the Phoenix Suns team that made the NBA Finals. Playing alongside Chris Paul, Ayton thrived because he received many lobs and easy buckets.
His move to the Lakers essentially sets him up for something similar, as they have two of the best passers in the game, LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Ayton even expressed his excitement about teaming up with Doncic, who has been working hard all offseason.
| Season | Points | Rebounds | Field Goal % |
| 2024-25 | 14.4 | 10.2 | 56.2 |
| 2023-24 | 16.7 | 11.1 | 57 |
| 2022-23 | 18 | 10 | 58.8 |
The 27-year-old has averaged a double-double throughout his career, which gives the Lakers another solid option.
His ability offensively is what the Lakers will appreciate most, as last year they struggled to generate points from almost everyone outside of Doncic, James, and Reaves.
He is not known for his defensive game, but the Lakers will be hoping the arrival of Marcus Smart will help in that regard.
Ayton is just entering the prime of his career, and while there have been issues with his attitude, he has played for a championship-contending roster in the past.
If he can replicate those performances, Laker Nation certainly has reasons to be excited about a potentially brilliant season.
