If there is one player the Phoenix Suns have not missed from the moment they waved goodbye to him, it is Deandre Ayton.
The current Los Angeles Lakers big man still has his fans however, and Max Kellerman believes if he buys into his role in Hollywood, the Lakers could make a playoff run.
Kellerman clearly has not been paying attention to Ayton post Phoenix
Kellerman was speaking on the "Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul" when he made the bold statement, and he is foolish to think this is ever going to happen.
Ayton has the chance to win a ring with the Suns having made the NBA Finals back in 2021, the last time he was locked in for an extended period of time, but he had no interest in that.
Instead he wanted a bigger role and so was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers, in a move that went so badly the Suns still don't even look that bad for taking back Jusuf Nurkic in return.
Portland also wanted to get out of the Ayton business at the first opportunity, which is why he was bought out and ended up in Los Angeles.
Deandre Ayton averaged 14.3 points on 71.4% and 10 rebounds in the Lakers’ last three games after leaving the DEN game early and missing IND. “Felt like I picked up my energy and my focus,” he said. “You know, I finally caught up with the team.” pic.twitter.com/zGx8d3D49D
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 13, 2026
That's not to say it has been all bad however, which is why Kellerman is backing Ayton at this moment. In the last few games he has looked a lot better, and he is helping this team win games.
Only Kellerman should know we've been here before with the 27-year-old, and periods when he is doing what the team wants him to are always followed by him becoming uninterested.
To say he can be the key to the Lakers going on a run also seems incredibly optimistic, with their chances surely resting on the shoulders of Luka Doncic.
Ironically the kind of center they need right now is Suns' rookie Khaman Maluach, who continues to raise eyebrows with his ability to block shots.
Maluach is not ready to play a big role on a genuine contender, but he's a better long-term prospect than Ayton and already would be a better lob threat for the Lakers as well.
He remains raw defensively, but if nothing else he tries every time he is on the court. The same cannot be said for Ayton, and Kellerman is going to come to that realization himself before the season the postseason even begins.