The Los Angeles Lakers have started the 2025-26 NBA season on the right foot. With a 23-11 record one month out from All-Star Weekend, the Lakers sit in third place in the Western Conference and have won three straight games. Their most recent victory was a road win over the New Orleans Pelicans, which featured dual 30-point games from LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Doncic has been on fire since the first game of the season, but James is the one who has really turned it on lately. James’ bump-up in production has coincided with Austin Reaves missing games due to injury, but it’s a welcome sign for JJ Redick, who needs all three performing at a high level if the Lakers want to win the NBA Championship. In order to do so, they will need contributions from role players too. That could prove to be a problem if a specific play from the Lakers-Pelicans game is any indication.
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Is Deandre Ayton the weak link on the Lakers?
During the second quarter, with Zion Williamson shooting a free throw, Lakers center Deandre Ayton failed to box out his opponent, let him get the rebound then vacated the paint and allowed an easy layup for Trey Murphy III. That was enough for Redick to sub him out immediately.
Some fans tried to argue that perhaps he was “gassed” and needed a rest. But plenty of other fans pointed to the rest of his career as evidence that, “this is who he is“.
Ayton has developed a reputation for being “lazy” throughout his NBA career. Despite being a dominant force in college at Arizona, the former first overall pick has never made an All-Star Game and is considered a defensive liability with his focus on the offensive end and rebounding.
The Lakers need a big presence in the paint for when they come up against talented big men, but Ayton simply hasn’t shown the willingness or adeptness to compete with those types on defense.
