Los Angeles Lakers Deandre Ayton Gives Odd Reason For Struggling In Team Debut
Deandre Ayton’s first official game in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform was circled on calendars across the NBA. The former number one pick, acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade, was billed as the missing piece to elevate the Lakers’ frontcourt alongside superstar Luka Dončić. However, after a quiet performance in a 119-109 opening night loss to the Golden State Warriors, it wasn’t his stats that made headlines, but his own perplexing self-assessment. Ayton’s post-game comments have left fans and analysts scratching their heads, offering a complicated glimpse into the challenges of building championship chemistry on the fly.
Los Angeles Lakers Deandre Ayton: An Underwhelming First Impression
In his first real test as a Laker, Ayton’s impact was muted. He finished the game with a modest stat line, logging 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block in 34 minutes of action. While he was efficient, shooting 5-of-7 from the field, his presence felt minimized within an offense orchestrated by the ball-dominant Dončić. For a player expected to be a primary pick-and-roll partner and a dominant force in the paint, Ayton often looked uncertain and out of sync.
The numbers don’t tell the full story. The Lakers brought Ayton in to be a constant lob threat, a powerful roller who could punish defenses for collapsing on Dončić and Austin Reaves. Instead, he was often seen drifting towards the free-throw line, a tendency that clogged spacing and made reads more difficult for his guards. While the Warriors’ veteran defense deserves credit, Ayton’s tentative play was a far cry from the dominant interior presence the Lakers had envisioned.
The “Confusing Big” Conundrum
After the game, Ayton offered a uniquely candid and somewhat baffling explanation for his struggles to integrate into the offense.
“Today I realized, I’m probably a confusing big,” Ayton told reporters. “When I can roll and stand just in the pocket, it’s probably a little difficult for them sometimes. I’m so used to the league having that low man on me, so sometimes I can’t even finish a roll.”
He went on to explain his tendency to “linger around the free throw area, just to be available,” rather than committing to a hard roll to the rim. In essence, Ayton diagnosed himself as an unpredictable partner in the pick-and-roll. His desire to present multiple options—being available for a short pass in the “pocket” or diving to the basket—was creating hesitation for his ball-handlers. While versatility is often a strength, in Ayton’s case, it was causing indecision and disrupting the offense’s rhythm.
This self-awareness is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s positive that Ayton recognizes the disconnect. On the other, his admission that he is a “confusing big” raises concerns. For a high-level pick-and-roll offense to work, the screener’s actions must be decisive and predictable. The guard needs to know exactly where the big man will be to make a split-second read. Ayton’s indecisiveness turns what should be a simple two-man game into a complex guessing game, something a team with championship aspirations cannot afford.
Building Chemistry with Luka Dončić
The success of the Deandre Ayton experiment in Los Angeles will ultimately hinge on his chemistry with Luka Dončić. For his part, Dončić, who had a massive 43-point, 9-assist night, took responsibility for Ayton’s lack of involvement.
“Have to do a better job, just talking to him, like what I want and what he wants,” Dončić said. “Today was on me, not getting him enough touches probably. Gotta help him.”
This leadership from Dončić is a crucial first step. Building the kind of telepathic connection seen between elite guards and their big men takes time and communication. However, the pressure is on for that chemistry to develop quickly. Ayton’s comments reveal a need for clearly defined roles and expectations within Coach Darvin Ham’s system. Does the team want him to be a hard-rolling rim-runner who puts immense pressure on the basket? Or do they want him to be a pop-man who can make plays from the free-throw line? Trying to be both at once is proving to be ineffective.
Despite the offensive struggles, there were positive signs on the other end of the floor. Ayton’s presence was felt defensively, as the Lakers held the Warriors to just 36 points in the paint. His ability to protect the rim and anchor the defense is a key reason he was brought to Los Angeles. Now, the challenge is to unlock his offensive potential and integrate him as a consistent, reliable threat.
The Path Forward: Clarity and Repetition
It is far too early to panic. The Lakers faced a seasoned, championship-caliber Warriors team in their very first game together. Growing pains are to be expected. Ayton’s “confusing” debut is not an indictment of his talent but rather a clear signal that an adjustment period is necessary.
The solution lies in communication and repetition. JJ Redick and the offensive leaders, Dončić and Reaves, need to simplify Ayton’s role initially. By defining his primary responsibility in the pick-and-roll—whether it’s rolling hard every time or popping to a specific spot—they can remove the indecision from the equation. As Ayton grows more comfortable within the system, he can begin to layer in more complex reads and actions.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and for Deandre Ayton and the Lakers, that first step is moving from “confusing” to clear. His willingness to adapt and Dončić’s commitment to involving him will be the determining factors in how quickly this high-potential partnership finds its championship rhythm.
