After citing the “sacrifices” he made with the Los Angeles Lakers and admitting that his role as a rim protector and rebounder in LA is “not what I want,” Deandre Ayton may not have a choice but to re-up with the Phoenix Suns’ division rival.
That seems to be the case, at least according to Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha speaking on the HoopsHype show “Around the Beat.”
Ayton has a player option for next season that would pay him $8.1 million to stay with LA if he chooses to exercise it. Provided that DA said his role with the Lakers was not what he wanted, there’s at least some reason to believe he’d pursue options elsewhere. However, as Buha tells it, that’s less likely as a result of the Lakers getting swept in the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Deandre Ayton seems likely to stay with Lakers in free agency
“I think after the Thunder series, he’s more likely to opt in,” Buha said of Ayton’s future with the Lakers. “You could still make a case that, based on his regular season production, he was probably somewhere worth like $15 to $20 million. But after seeing the limitations in the playoffs, especially in that OKC series, it’s tough whether you’re the Lakers or any other team [to give him a long-term deal].”
Buha goes on to note other Pacific Division teams like the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Clippers being in the market for a center, but the chances of DA getting more money in either of those spots is not likely.
He also cites the Chicago Bulls as a potential destination if Ayton views himself as being worth more money and more touches in a starting role, but that would be nothing more than a stop-gap situation, as was the case for Ayton in Portland with the Trail Blazers before he was waived.
“I’d lean toward him opting in,” Buha said.
For Suns fans, the pairing of Ayton and the Lakers has been largely cathartic. They’ve watched a division rival come to grips with the same criticisms Suns fans had of Ayton when he failed to live up to the hype of being a No. 1 overall draft choice ahead of future stars including fellow Laker Luka Doncic.
Lakers coach JJ Redick frequently relayed his own criticisms of his center to the press, citing Ayton’s frustrations with not getting the ball enough and then not being able to catch the ball when the coaching staff started to run more plays for him to get him involved.
Given the headaches he caused, the Lakers probably wouldn’t be upset if DA opted out of his deal. As it stands, though, Suns fans may once again be on the outside looking in at a fan base voicing their frustrations with a center who just never lived up to expectations.
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