Deandre Ayton Under Pressure as Los Angeles Lakers Face Renewed Questions at Center…

For years, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to find long-term stability at the center position. What was once a cornerstone role has become a revolving door, with short-term solutions failing to provide lasting impact.

Last offseason, the franchise hoped it had finally solved the issue by signing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. At 27 years old and still in his prime, Ayton appeared to offer the size, efficiency, and pedigree needed to anchor the frontcourt.

Instead, his inconsistency has kept the spotlight firmly fixed on the position — and on his future in Los Angeles.

Strong Performance Not Enough in Loss to Orlando Magic

In Tuesday night’s narrow 110-109 loss to Orlando, Ayton delivered one of his most efficient outings of the season:

• 21 points

• 13 rebounds

• 8-of-11 shooting

• 32 minutes played

Head coach JJ Redick showed confidence by keeping Ayton on the floor during crunch time — something that has not consistently happened this season.

Yet the broader context painted a more complicated picture.

Despite Ayton’s strong box score, the Lakers fell short after LeBron James missed a fadeaway three at the buzzer. Meanwhile, Orlando’s interior players made decisive contributions.

Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, including a pivotal late putback. Even more impactful was Paolo Banchero, who erupted for 36 points and 10 rebounds, repeatedly attacking inside the arc.

Defensive Concerns Surface Late

While Ayton’s offensive efficiency stood out, critics argued that his defensive limitations resurfaced down the stretch.

Observers noted that Orlando appeared to deliberately involve Ayton in defensive actions, pulling him into space and creating mismatches. On the game-deciding sequence, Carter Jr. capitalized after Ayton was switched onto the perimeter, leading to an easy second-chance basket.

Concerns that have followed Ayton throughout the season resurfaced:

• Defensive mobility in space

• Late-game switchability

• Limited floor spacing impact

Though he finished just minus-two in plus-minus, Orlando’s ability to hunt him in critical moments reignited debate over whether he can be trusted as a full-time closing center in high-leverage games.

Lakers Outmatched Physically

Beyond individual matchups, the Lakers were outworked in several key areas:

• Rebounding: Orlando 47, Los Angeles 39

• Offensive rebounds: Magic 12

• Points in the paint: Magic 58, Lakers 50

For a team battling for playoff positioning, those physical disparities are troubling.

At 34-23, the Lakers sit sixth in the Western Conference — just two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns and the play-in threshold. With four losses in their last six games and a 4-4 finish on an eight-game homestand, momentum has stalled at a critical juncture.

Ayton’s Player Option Looms Large

Ayton’s future now intersects with financial strategy. He holds an $8.1 million player option for next season, a decision that will significantly impact the Lakers’ offseason flexibility.

Given his uneven performance this year — averaging a career-low 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes — it is widely expected that Ayton will opt in. Despite his efficient 66.7% field-goal percentage, his overall production has not consistently matched expectations for a long-term anchor.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton has already identified center as a key offseason priority for the Lakers, signaling that potential upgrades may be explored regardless of Ayton’s choice.

Growing Calls for Change

Some analysts believe the franchise should move decisively.

Critics argue that while Ayton provides efficient scoring and solid rebounding, he has not solved the defensive versatility and physical dominance issues that have plagued Los Angeles in playoff-style matchups.

The central question becomes:
Is Ayton a foundational piece — or merely another temporary solution?

At 27, he remains in his prime and retains trade value, especially given his efficiency and pedigree. However, the Lakers may seek a center who offers greater rim protection, switchability, and consistent defensive presence in late-game situations.

What’s at Stake for the Lakers?

With the postseason approaching, Ayton’s performance will be evaluated under an increasingly intense microscope.

If he:

• Anchors the paint effectively

• Holds up defensively in switch-heavy schemes

• Controls the boards consistently

he could strengthen his case as part of the long-term core.

If defensive targeting and rebounding disparities continue, the Lakers may feel compelled to pursue alternatives via trade or free agency.

Final Outlook: Decision Point Approaching

Deandre Ayton’s season encapsulates the Lakers’ broader challenge: flashes of promise overshadowed by inconsistency.

His 21-point, 13-rebound effort against Orlando demonstrated why the franchise invested in him. Yet the late-game defensive breakdowns reminded everyone why doubts persist.

With Los Angeles clinging to playoff positioning and offseason decisions looming, Ayton’s role — and potentially his future — remains uncertain.

The next few weeks could determine whether the Lakers double down on the Ayton experiment or finally close the revolving door at center once and for all.