Deandre Ayton has the chance to assist the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA Championship.
Regardless of having a dynamic duo of Lebron James and Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers confronted a one-round exit within the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Because of this, the Lakers have made a number of upgrades to their roster this offseason. The largest identify to affix Purple and Gold is Deandre Ayton.
The addition of Ayton might strengthen the Lakers’ championship ambitions, however it might require the earlier No. 1 total decide to function in a particular approach.
Final season, Ayton averaged 14.4 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per sport for the Portland Path Blazers. These numbers had been stable, however Ayton nonetheless must be higher.
At the very least that is what Lakers legend Mycal Thompson mentioned in a latest episode with Hoops Discuss’s Allen Silwa.
“That is what DeAndre Ayton and he needs to do. If he needs to be an All-Star Caliber Heart, he might not create an All-Star crew, but when he needs to play at that stage, the Lakers will probably be a severe menace to beat the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder subsequent 12 months,” Thompson mentioned.
He added: “But when he is available in and raises 12, 13, 8, that is not sufficient. If DeAndre needs to attain a sport to twenty factors, or needs to 12 rebounds for a game-type heart, the Lakers can compete for the championship.”
For the Lakers, the vast majority of the scoring burden is carried by James and Donsic. However Thompson hopes Ayton will turn out to be the third star most nights, and even on each ends of the ground.
When Ayton entered the league, he was promoted as the following Shaquille O’Neill. Nonetheless, O’Neill did not need Ayton to comply with in his footsteps.
Provided that Ayton has already performed in seven NBA seasons, followers and the media have higher concepts in regards to the 27-year-old ceiling.
Talking of which, Thompson believes Ayton is the mix of David Robinson and Robert Parrish at his finest.
“He is a mixture of David Robinson and Robert Parrish. He can do all of it. He can block photographs.
“…However he has that form of talent in offense and protection. He has to get that Kevin Garnet kind motor,” Thompson added.
In conclusion, Thompson has nice hopes for Ayton, however he hopes that the Lakers Heart will present up with a considerably improved work ethic throughout the 2025-26 NBA season.
