Deandre Ayton begins the subsequent chapter of his NBA profession with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following a two-year stint with the Portland Path Blazers, the previous total choose, Deandre Ayton, has joined the enduring Los Angeles Lakers.
After negotiating the acquisition of the cope with Path Blazers, Ayton signed a two-year deal for simply $16.6 million. Now it is an enormous steal.
Talking of Lakers Ayton, it is the right time to revisit what franchise legend Shaquille O’Neal advised him in 2018.
Ayton, the highest choose within the 2018 NBA Draft as a middle, was clearly in comparison with the massive Aristotle, as many anticipated him to have the same profession trajectory to Shaq.
However when O’Neal felt it, he had a easy but significant message to the then-Phoenix Suns star.
“I hold listening to that this Ayton man can turn into the subsequent SHAQ. My recommendation to Ayton is to not turn into the subsequent Shaq. It will likely be the primary Ayton. I hope you’ll break all my data.” Suns’ official X-handle shared O’Neal’s message in 2018.
O’Neal is a Corridor of Fame and has received many accolades which were praised throughout his profession, together with 4 NBA championships, however he didn’t need Ayton to observe in his footsteps.
As a substitute, he urged the gifted heart to carve out his personal NBA legacy in his profession.
Getting messages of all types from legendary figures like Shaq is a dream for younger prospects.
As anticipated, Aiton was raised after he discovered the message Shack had for him.
“After this, I must say I can write it down and go away it in my room. It is the motivation to maintain me shifting proper now,” Ayton mentioned by way of X’s Gina Mzell.
Quick ahead to 2025, Ayton will quickly put on the enduring purple and gold jersey. That is Ayton’s eighth season in his NBA profession. He performs underneath his favorite supervisor JJ Reddick.
Up to now, Ayton has averaged 16.4 factors, 10.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per recreation in 398 contests within the league. This is not near O’Neill’s profession common with 23.7 factors, 10.9 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists per recreation.
Nonetheless, as a motive for O’Neal in 2018, Ayton wants to search out his personal id within the league. Can he try this as a member of the Lakers? Solely time might be seen.
